Couple at a Table (Paar am Tisch) 1922 - 1925

Otto Mueller made this print, “Couple at a Table,” using lithography, a process that democratized image-making in the 19th century. Unlike traditional etchings or engravings, which require laborious carving into metal, lithography employs a greasy crayon on a flat stone. The result is a direct, almost childlike immediacy. You can see the artist’s hand in the strokes, the texture of the crayon, and the way the image seems to emerge from the surface. The limited palette of yellow and black further simplifies the scene, focusing our attention on the raw emotion of the encounter. Lithography enabled artists like Mueller to produce multiple copies affordably, making art accessible to a wider audience. This print, with its focus on modern life and intimate relationships, reflects a desire to engage with the social realities of its time. Ultimately, the material and process of this artwork contribute to its powerful, and democratic appeal.