A powerful lithograph by Ernst Barlach depicting a scene from Goethe's ballad, rendered with the artist's signature expressive, gestural line work.

This lithograph by Ernst Barlach depicts a scene from the ballad Der König in Thule, written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The narrative concerns a king who remains faithful to his deceased lover, cherishing a golden goblet she bequeathed to him on her deathbed. Barlach, a sculptor and graphic artist, approaches the subject with the characteristic heavy, emotive line work that defines his contribution to German Expressionism.

The composition focuses on the intimate, tragic exchange between the two figures. The dying woman, reclined and frail, extends the goblet toward the king. Barlach employs vigorous, gestural marks to build the forms, creating a sense of urgency and emotional weight. The background is suggested through dark, sweeping strokes that compress the space, forcing the viewer to confront the physical closeness of the pair. Unlike the smooth, academic finish of earlier periods, this work relies on the raw texture of the lithographic crayon to convey the gravity of the moment.

Barlach often explored themes of human suffering, isolation, and spiritual endurance. In this print, the focus remains on the tactile quality of the figures and the symbolic importance of the vessel. The artist avoids unnecessary detail, preferring to communicate the narrative through the posture of the bodies and the tension within the lines. The stark contrast between the light-toned figures and the shadowy environment creates a somber atmosphere, typical of Barlach's graphic output during the 1920s. This print is part of a series that demonstrates his ability to translate literary themes into a visual language defined by physical presence and psychological depth.