Die Wahrheit 1913

Cuno Amiet made 'Die Wahrheit' with earthy colors, and I see a process that’s all about building up layers. The surface has this chalky feel, like pastel, but also the fleshy quality of oil paint. The colors are warm – reds and ochres – giving the piece a kind of simmering energy. Look at the woman’s body; it’s not just a smooth surface. Amiet uses these short, choppy strokes, kind of greenish in tone, that give her form weight and volume. There’s this tension between the kind of classical pose and the raw, immediate way the paint is applied. It reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker. Both were painting in the early 20th century, grappling with how to make something new out of tradition. Ultimately, art is just an ongoing conversation. It’s never about having the final word, just about adding your voice to the mix.