Bathers in Reeds 1924

Otto Mueller made this painting, Bathers in Reeds, sometime in the early 20th century. It's a beautiful piece that feels both immediate and timeless, probably made with distemper or something equally matte. I’m really drawn to the way Mueller uses color here. The pinks and greens are so unexpected, yet they create this incredible sense of atmosphere. Look at the reeds in the foreground, how the strokes of green and yellow create a feeling of texture and depth, like you could reach out and touch them. And the water? It's not just water; it's this shimmering, ethereal space that reflects the sky and the surrounding landscape. It reminds me a bit of Gauguin, but with a more subdued palette. There's a sense of longing in this painting, a desire to return to nature and to find some kind of peace. It’s lovely to see artists responding to one another across time and space. Art’s just one big conversation, right? And this painting is definitely saying something important.