Zebras 1912

Wilhelm Kuhnert made this striking, dynamic painting of zebras in an arid landscape, probably in oil on canvas. I love the muted palette, which evokes the heat and vastness of the animals' natural habitat. Imagine Kuhnert at his easel, carefully observing the zebras' movements, their stripes a dizzying pattern against the dry grass. The dust kicks up around their hooves as they gallop across the plains. You can almost feel the earth vibrating! The paint handling is confident, capturing the essence of the herd with a few well-placed strokes. Look at the way he renders the zebras’ stripes – not as rigid lines, but as organic shapes that curve and flow with their bodies. It’s this attention to detail, combined with a sense of movement and energy, that really brings the painting to life. Kuhnert was known for his animal paintings, and this one is a great example of how artists have long been fascinated by the natural world. It reminds me a little of Franz Marc, with that same love of animals. It's like artists are having a big conversation across time, you know?