Who painted Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II)?

Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II) was painted by Lovis Corinth in 1917.

Where can I see Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II)?

Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II)?

Museum-quality prints of Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II)

Lovis Corinth , 1917

Bank im Walde II (Bench in the Woods II) is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1917, *Bank im Walde II* (Bench in the Woods II) is a black dry‑point print by German artist Lovis Corinth. The work presents a solitary wooden bench set within a dense, shadowy forest, rendered with stark, unrefined lines that give the scene a sense of immediacy and quiet presence.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a single bench, almost swallowed by the surrounding trees, suggesting themes of solitude and contemplation. The minimal setting, devoid of human figures, invites viewers to consider the bench as a silent witness to the forest’s stillness, emphasizing the interplay between built objects and natural environment.

Technique & Style

Corinth employed dry‑point, incising directly into a metal plate to produce a line that is both rough and tactile. This method yields a characteristic burr that creates soft, velvety shadows, allowing the print to resemble a rapid drawing. The approach reflects his post‑stroke shift toward a more expressive, gestural handling of form.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to the later phase of Corinth’s career, a period marked by a departure from strict naturalism toward a hybrid of impressionistic light and expressionist vigor. Produced after his 1911 stroke, the work exemplifies the heightened emotional intensity that defined his output in the final years before his death in 1925.