Regatta 1925

Lyonel Feininger created “Regatta” with watercolor, pen and ink, in the 1920s during a period of significant social and political change in Germany. As you look, consider how Feininger's experiences as an American in Germany might have influenced his interpretation of the German landscape and culture. Feininger developed a unique style that blended elements of Cubism with his own sensibilities. The composition, featuring sailboats on the water and figures in the foreground, presents a scene of leisure. However, the figures are stylized and somewhat detached, reflecting a sense of alienation that was characteristic of the interwar period. The geometric forms give the artwork a modern feel. There is an emotional tension between the beauty of the sailing boats and the static figures on the bank. The angular forms and the use of light create a sense of dynamism, encapsulating the spirit of innovation and change present in the Weimar Republic, while questioning traditional representations of leisure and identity.