Waldsee 1919

Otto Mueller made this painting of a lake in a forest, likely en plein air, using what looks like distemper on canvas. Imagine the painter standing here trying to capture a fleeting moment in time, battling mosquitos and the changing light, squinting at the scene, simplifying it. Look at the flatness of the water and the trees. There's a clear interest in form and pattern, but also in the sensory experience of being in nature, surrounded by trees, water, and light. I love the color palette: those muted greens, blues, and grays. The thinness of the paint gives the painting an airy quality. It reminds me of other artists who have explored similar themes, like the German Expressionists, or even some of the early Impressionists. Painters are always in conversation with one another across time, inspiring each other’s creativity. Painting is an ongoing process of experimentation and discovery. It's about finding new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.