Woman Seated on Sofa in Interior 1912 - 1914

Frederick Carl Friseke conjured this interior scene with oil on canvas. I can just imagine him, brush in hand, teasing out the textures of that plush sofa, the way the light catches on the patterned shawl. The paint here is applied so freely, almost like he’s sketching with color. See how the strokes of pink and lavender create a sense of depth, making the sofa feel like a real, inviting space? I love the way he’s handled the light – it’s soft and diffused, giving the whole scene a dreamy, intimate quality. It reminds me a little of Bonnard, actually, that same love of domestic interiors. And the figure! She seems lost in thought, a moment of quiet contemplation. It’s like Friseke is inviting us to share in her stillness, to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the everyday. That painterly gesture—it's not just about what's depicted but how it’s depicted—it communicates emotion and intention. These artists are constantly responding to one another, aren’t they, engaging in this never-ending visual conversation across time.