Hahn und Huhn 1906

Christian Rohlfs created this expressive watercolor painting of a rooster and hen with chalk. The artist has skillfully employed the fluid characteristics of watercolor to capture the essence of the birds, with translucent layers building up tonal depth and texture. Notice how the chalk adds definition and enhances the tactile quality of the rooster’s plumage. These materials allow for both precision and spontaneity, mirroring the vitality of the subject matter. Rohlfs trained in the late 19th century, when academic painting still held sway. Yet he absorbed the lessons of Impressionism and other modern movements, as is evident in his sensitive handling of light and color. But unlike the Impressionists, Rohlfs was less interested in capturing a fleeting moment than in conveying a deeper, more emotional connection with his subjects. He embraces the material qualities of watercolor and chalk to evoke the spirit of the natural world, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft through material expression.