Artwork
Frauenbildnis (Portrait of a Woman)
Frauenbildnis (Portrait of a Woman) is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1914, *Frauenbildnis* is a drypoint print executed in black on laid paper.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1914, *Frauenbildnis* is a drypoint print executed in black on laid paper. The image presents a seated woman, hands placed on her lap, dressed in a loose, high‑necked shirt with her hair pulled back. The composition is rendered with swift, bold lines that emphasize form and light without ornamental detail, resulting in a stark, monochrome presence.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses solely on the figure of a woman, captured in a moment of quiet repose. By limiting the visual field to the sitter and omitting background elements, the artist invites contemplation of the subject’s posture and attire, suggesting an intimate, unembellished study of character rather than narrative storytelling.
Technique & Style
Executed as a drypoint, the artist incised the image directly into the surface of laid paper, allowing the burr of the needle to produce rich, velvety lines. The exclusive use of black ink heightens contrast, while the rough, sketch‑like quality reflects Corinth’s shift toward a more expressive, less naturalistic approach that emerged after his 1911 stroke.
History & Provenance
Lovis Corinth, born in 1858, trained in Paris and Munich before becoming a leading figure of the Berlin Secession, eventually heading the group. Though primarily known as a painter, he pursued printmaking throughout his career. This 1914 drypoint belongs to the period when his graphic work mirrored the broader stylistic transition evident in his paintings.
Context
The print was produced during a turbulent era marked by World War I and personal health challenges for Corinth. The artist’s post‑stroke condition prompted a reevaluation of color and form, influencing his graphic output. *Frauenbildnis* thus embodies both the external uncertainties of its time and the internal evolution of Corinth’s artistic language.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lovis Corinth was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.
