Sophie 1894

Cuno Amiet made this painting, Sophie, using oil on canvas. Amiet has created a vibrant surface of loose, gestural brushstrokes, with a focus on the interaction between the child and the surrounding environment. The impasto texture of the oil paint adds a tactile quality to the work, with the visible brushstrokes conveying a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The layering of colors and textures creates a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer into the scene. Amiet, a Swiss painter, was associated with the Die Brücke expressionist group. This portrait exemplifies the groups' interest in exploring subjective emotions through bold colors and simplified forms. Amiet trained at the Académie Julian in Paris. Paying attention to the materials and processes that went into making “Sophie” enhances our appreciation, and challenges the distinctions between fine art and craft.