Mädchen in Erwartung ihres Liebhabers 1911

Ferdinand Leeke painted this piece, *Mädchen in Erwartung ihres Liebhabers*, with what looks like very dry brushstrokes that add a lovely texture to the image. Looking at the girl’s dress, you can see the paint is applied in broken, almost frantic marks, capturing the delicate folds and the play of light. It’s like he’s trying to catch a fleeting moment, a sense of anticipation just hanging in the air. The paint isn’t blended smoothly, but rather left raw and textured, which gives the whole scene an immediacy. You can almost feel the rough fabric of her dress and the coarse grain of the wooden fence she leans against. The red ribbons in her hair add a pop of color against the muted greens and browns of the landscape. I think of Courbet and his earthy tones and interest in capturing the everyday. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is about feeling and seeing in equal measure.