Interior 1880

Editor: Here we have Lovis Corinth’s "Interior," created in 1880 using pencil on paper. The drawing has a somewhat sparse and utilitarian feel. What do you notice first when you look at this piece? Curator: Immediately, the sheer ordinariness strikes me. There's a distinct lack of embellishment, a raw portrayal of daily life. What domestic activities are being suggested to the viewer? Editor: It looks like a kitchen with a stove, pots and pans, and a large barrel. Perhaps brewing or food preparation were central. It makes me wonder about the purpose of the two doors leading off from the space. Curator: The doors offer an intriguing glimpse beyond, don’t they? The two doors and the kitchen imply transition and thresholds – between the familiar and the unknown, public and private. The fireplace with visible utensils becomes a hearth, not just for food preparation but also for stories. How does this contrast with the rough barrel and what could be a wheelbarrow in the foreground? Editor: Those elements almost feel like interruptions or symbols of labor, outside of simple comfort, adding a layer of toil to the otherwise simple domesticity. The placement seems almost confrontational in its positioning. Curator: Precisely. Consider also that even something as simple as the choice of subject - an everyday kitchen - departs from the grand historical narratives prevalent at the time. Corinth may have sought to imbue the ordinary with its own unique significance and imbue it with worthiness through representation. Editor: So the drawing functions almost like a visual record of cultural values and a commentary through contrast. I’ll definitely be thinking about thresholds differently now. Curator: It is indeed about value, both material and symbolic. Keep asking such insightful questions!