Bathsheba washing herself (II Samuel 11:2-27) 1923

Curator: Here we have Lovis Corinth's "Bathsheba washing herself," rendered in a flurry of charcoal strokes. It’s based on the biblical story found in the Second Book of Samuel. Editor: The density of the charcoal gives it a claustrophobic feel, almost as if she's being watched, weighed down by the impending drama. Curator: Indeed. Corinth often grappled with themes of vulnerability and the gaze, reflecting anxieties around female agency. The sketch was done circa 1923 and speaks to the cultural shifts in gender representation during the Weimar Republic. Editor: Note the use of chiaroscuro—the harsh contrast heightens the drama. Corinth uses this technique not just for pictorial effect, but to draw our attention to the psychological tension inherent in the scene. Curator: Absolutely. The work makes us consider what it means to be observed and judged within historical and social contexts. Editor: And how Corinth's formal choices amplify that tension. A compelling piece!