Porträt der Charlotte Berend-Corinth 1912

Lovis Corinth rendered this portrait of Charlotte Berend-Corinth with oil on canvas. Corinth’s rapid brushstrokes, characteristic of the German Expressionist movement, capture the spontaneity and energy of the moment. The textured surface reveals the artist's process; layers of paint applied with varying pressure and direction create a sense of depth and movement. The vibrant hues, particularly in the face and hat, add to the immediacy of the portrait, while the looser handling in the background gives a sense of the surroundings without detracting from the figure herself. Consider the labor involved in producing such a painting—from preparing the canvas to grinding and mixing pigments, and the physical act of applying paint. Appreciating the materials and the making process allows us to understand the artist’s skill and the cultural values assigned to both the process and the final product. This approach challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft by highlighting the importance of labor and materiality in art.