Poverty 1919

"Poverty" (1919) by Christian Rohlfs is a poignant depiction of a family struggling in the aftermath of World War I. The artist's bold, expressive brushstrokes capture a sense of desperation and hardship as the figures are rendered with a starkness that emphasizes their plight. The composition focuses on a woman carrying a baby, suggesting the heavy burden of responsibility and the fragility of life. This painting exemplifies the German Expressionist style with its bold colors, distorted forms, and emotional intensity. Rohlfs's work often focused on the realities of everyday life, highlighting the social and economic hardships of his time.