Red and Yellow Tulips 1918

Lovis Corinth made this painting of red and yellow tulips using oil on canvas. The thick application of paint is a characteristic of the expressionist style, which prized emotive gesture over realistic depiction. Take a moment to observe the materiality of the painting itself. The texture of the canvas, the brushstrokes, and the way the colors blend together, all contribute to the feeling of energy and vitality. Look at the almost sculptural peaks of oil paint. These are not mere representations of flowers, but rather, tangible objects in their own right. Corinth's chosen materials and techniques reflect a rejection of academic painting traditions. Instead, he embraced a more physical and immediate approach, emphasizing the act of painting itself. By doing so, he elevated the status of the craft and blurred the lines between fine art and the hands-on process of making.