Sitzende Zigeunerin 1926

Otto Mueller made this painting, "Sitzende Zigeunerin", with oil on canvas. Look at those greens and browns. They create a sense of a natural world, but not one we really know, more one that is felt. I can almost feel Mueller dabbing the paint, adding layer upon layer, building up this scene like a memory, a dream. I imagine Mueller thinking about how to capture not just the look, but the soul of his sitter. You can see the brushstrokes almost dancing around her figure. It makes me think about other painters like Kirchner, who were also trying to capture something raw and real in their portraits. There’s something vulnerable and strong about this painting. It feels like we are catching a glimpse into a private world. It’s a reminder that painting is a way to connect, to see each other, and to feel a little less alone.