Artwork
Sitzender Männlicher Akt (Seated Male Nude)
Sitzender Männlicher Akt (Seated Male Nude) is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1908, this black‑ink etching on laid paper depicts a seated male figure viewed from behind, his arms resting on his knees.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1908, this black‑ink etching on laid paper depicts a seated male figure viewed from behind, his arms resting on his knees. The image is rendered with loose, overlapping lines that give the surface a sketch‑like, spontaneous quality, while the textured paper enhances the contrast between dark ink and the light ground.
Subject & Meaning
The work belongs to the traditional nude genre, focusing on the human form rather than narrative content. By presenting the figure from the rear, Corinth emphasizes the study of anatomy and posture, inviting contemplation of the body’s structure without overt dramatization.
Technique & Style
Corinth employed a classic etching process, incising the design into a metal plate and printing it onto laid paper. The resulting marks are uneven and scratchy, suggesting a rapid hand or a deliberately roughened tool, which aligns with his early naturalistic approach before his later, more expressionistic tendencies emerged.
History & Provenance
At the time of its creation, Corinth was an established figure in German modernism, having trained in Paris and Munich and later directing the Berlin Secession. This print reflects his parallel interest in printmaking alongside painting, illustrating his commitment to exploring multiple media during a pivotal phase of his career.
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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