Doppelbildnis 1922

Otto Mueller probably painted this "Doppelbildnis" with distemper on canvas. It’s a mixture of pigment, water, and a binder - traditionally egg yolk or glue. The appeal of distemper lies in its matte finish, and the way it yields itself to the artist's hand. You can see that Mueller has worked quickly and expressively, using the paint to create a sense of volume and depth in the figures. The nature of the material lends itself to immediacy. Mueller was associated with Die Brücke, a group of German Expressionist artists, and was certainly interested in direct expression. But he was also fascinated by craft traditions. Mueller seems to have used distemper, as a conscious alternative to oil paint - with its connotations of commerce, industry, and slickness. In contrast, distemper evokes a sense of handmade authenticity. The rough, unrefined surface of the painting speaks to a desire to get back in touch with something more natural, more basic, in the modern world. Considering the materials and making of an artwork helps us to challenge the traditional distinction between fine art and craft, revealing how social and cultural values are embedded in every aspect of its production.