Frauenakt mit gelbem Blumenstrauß 1905

Christian Rohlfs made this oil painting, "Female Nude with Yellow Flowers," sometime in the early 20th century. The subject of a nude amidst a field of wildflowers is not remarkable; the approach is. We can see that the artist's quick, broken brushstrokes break down the scene into its essential components of color and form. As part of the Expressionist movement, this painting challenged the status quo of the German art establishment by prioritizing subjective experience over realistic representation. The painting reflects a broader cultural shift occurring at the time, as artists and intellectuals questioned traditional values and sought new ways of expressing themselves. Understanding this work requires attention to the complex interplay of social, cultural, and artistic forces that shaped its creation. To learn more, one might consider exploring the artist's biography, studying the history of Expressionism, and examining the critical reception of his work at the time.