Christnacht 1903

Albin Egger-Lienz made this dimly lit painting, Christnacht, using oil on canvas. The colours are earthy, like dark soil, and applied with a loaded brush. It makes me think about how a painting doesn't always have to shout; sometimes, it can whisper, inviting you to lean in and listen. Notice the way the artist built up the layers of paint, especially around the source of light, with thick, impasto strokes. It's almost as if you could reach out and touch the light, feel its warmth emanating from the canvas. In contrast, look at the figure standing to the left. It feels like the brushstrokes here are more laboured as if the figure is gradually emerging from the darkness, which adds to the emotional weight of the piece. Egger-Lienz reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker, who was also interested in painting rural life with un-idealised figures. Both artists embraced a kind of honest, raw expression that can be very affecting. The beauty of art is that it can hold so many different meanings, depending on who's looking.