Who painted Bäume mit Sonne (Trees in the Sun)?

Bäume mit Sonne (Trees in the Sun) was painted by Lovis Corinth in 1920.

Where can I see Bäume mit Sonne (Trees in the Sun)?

Bäume mit Sonne (Trees in the Sun) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

Bäume mit Sonne (Trees in the Sun)

Lovis Corinth , 1920

Bäume mit Sonne (Trees in the Sun) is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1920, *Bäume mit Sonne* is a black drypoint print by German artist Lovis Corinth. The image fills the sheet with densely packed, angular trees whose branches intersect in a chaotic pattern, while the surrounding space remains largely empty, punctuated only by faint, undulating lines suggesting ground or shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a sunlit grove, the trees rendered as a tangle of spiky forms that convey both the vitality of foliage and a sense of turbulence. The stark contrast between the dense arboreal mass and the minimal background emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, inviting contemplation of nature’s vigor under bright illumination.

Technique & Style

Corinth employed drypoint, incising lines directly into a copper plate with a sharp needle. The resulting burr holds ink, producing thick, ragged strokes that give the trees a rough, tactile quality. This method aligns with his mature graphic style, which combines expressive line work with strong tonal contrasts, reflecting a synthesis of impressionistic light effects and expressionist vigor.

History & Provenance

After studying in Paris and Munich, Corinth became a leading figure in the Berlin Secession. A stroke in 1911 prompted a shift in his artistic approach, evident in the intensified line work of this print. *Bäume mit Sonne* was produced during the post‑war period, a time when Corinth’s printmaking output increased, though specific ownership records for this edition remain limited.