Artwork
Obstgarten (Orchard)
Obstgarten (Orchard) is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Obstgarten (Orchard) is a 1918 drypoint print on laid paper by German artist Lovis Corinth, exemplifying his later style, which blended impressionist and expressionist elements.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene orchard scene with four trees framing a distant small building, conveying a sense of quietude through expressive visual elements.
Technique & Style
Characterized by scratchy, uneven lines and pronounced tonal contrasts, the work showcases Corinth's mastery of drypoint, where metal plate engraving creates textured, almost tremulous lines, capturing dynamic interplays of light and shadow.
History & Provenance
Created in 1918, after Corinth's 1911 stroke, which significantly influenced his artistic approach, the work reflects his involvement with the Berlin Secession, an association he later presided over.
Context
Obstgarten (Orchard) aligns with Corinth's post-stroke artistic evolution, marked by a shift from naturalism towards a more expressive and impressionistically tinged practice, characteristic of his mature graphic output.
Legacy
This print demonstrates Corinth's contribution to the Berlin Secession movement and his influence on the development of expressive graphic art in early 20th-century Germany.
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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.
