Artwork
Kuhstall II (Cow Barn II)
Kuhstall II (Cow Barn II) 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, *Kuhstall II* (Cow Barn II) is a black‑ink drypoint print on laid paper supplied by the Dutch firm Van Gelder Zonen.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1914, *Kuhstall II* (Cow Barn II) is a black‑ink drypoint print on laid paper supplied by the Dutch firm Van Gelder Zonen. German artist Lovis Corinth, known for his work in both painting and printmaking, produced the image during the later phase of his career, when his style had moved beyond naturalism toward a more expressive visual language.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a single cow standing inside a modest barn. The animal faces left, its head turned slightly toward the viewer, while the interior architecture—wooden beams and a sloping roof—provides a simple, rustic backdrop. The scene conveys a quiet, domestic atmosphere, emphasizing the physical presence of the animal within its environment.
Technique & Style
Corinth employed drypoint, incising lines directly into the paper’s surface, which yields rich, velvety burrs that translate into deep, textured strokes.
Corinth employed drypoint, incising lines directly into the paper’s surface, which yields rich, velvety burrs that translate into deep, textured strokes. Bold outlines and graduated shading generate a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, modeling the cow’s form and suggesting depth in the cramped barn space. This handling reflects Corinth’s synthesis of impressionistic light treatment and expressionist vigor.
History & Provenance
The print emerged shortly after Corinth’s 1911 stroke, a period marked by intensified emotional intensity in his work. Produced on commercially available Van Gelder Zonen laid paper, the piece was likely issued in a limited edition typical of early‑20th‑century German print circles, though specific ownership records remain scarce.
Context
At the time of its creation, European art was shifting toward abstraction and heightened subjectivity. Corinth’s *Kuhstall II* illustrates his engagement with these currents while retaining a representational anchor. The rural motif aligns with a broader interest among German artists in agrarian themes, serving both as a study of form and a subtle commentary on the stability of everyday life amid societal change.
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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.
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