Self-portrait at Walchensee 1922

Lovis Corinth made this self-portrait at Walchensee using oil paint, and what strikes me is how immediate the process feels. The thick paint is slathered on, almost sculpted, creating a surface that's both chaotic and carefully considered. Look at the area around the eyes: short, stabbing strokes of red and brown suggest the shadows and wrinkles of the face, but also a kind of raw energy. The paint is so physical, you can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the canvas. I find myself wondering if he was painting quickly, trying to capture a fleeting expression or a certain quality of light. This kind of directness reminds me a little of some of Gustave Courbet's portraits, but Corinth’s approach is somehow even more visceral and untamed. It's a reminder that painting isn't just about representation; it's about the act of making, the struggle to find form in the chaos of material.