Martin-Mattera, Patrick
The emptiness in the mirror: On the “Ruth Kjär” of Melanie Klein and Karin Michaelis
- 2018.
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This article first presents a reading and an original version of a text by Karin Michaelis, made famous by Melanie Klein. In this text, entitled “The Empty Space,” the author speaks of Ruth Kjär, a woman suffering from severe “emptiness attacks” and depression. This woman, at the age of 34, suddenly began to paint and became a recognized artist in her country. Then, after having synthesized the biography of the artist, well known for a short time, we propose a clinical commentary in order to understand some elements of her psychological dynamics before and after the “trigger” of her art.