a Group of Artists 1927

Otto Mueller made 'A Group of Artists' with oil on canvas, though it's difficult to say exactly when. Look at how the whole scene is bathed in this strange, almost bruise-like palette of purples, blues, and fleshy pinks. It's not quite naturalistic, is it? More like a feeling than a place. The paint handling is really interesting here. It is so flat and matte, with very little sense of depth or layering. The figures are built from these simple blocks of color. Take a look at the figure on the left, holding what looks like a newspaper. The way his purple jacket is rendered with such simple, broad strokes, somehow it conveys both a sense of form and a kind of emotional weight. You can almost feel the weight of those purples. It reminds me a little of Beckmann's approach to color and form. Both artists were part of the New Objectivity movement in Germany after World War One, and were interested in capturing the psychological realities of modern life in their art. Ultimately, I'm left with more questions than answers. And isn't that the best kind of art?