Fünf gelbe Akte am Wasser 1921

Otto Mueller created “Five Yellow Nudes by the Water,” a color woodcut, that presents a timeless scene of women in nature. Nudity in art has long symbolized purity, vulnerability, and a return to an unspoiled state of being. Here, the women, rendered in a striking yellow, move through a landscape that blurs the boundary between water and land. This merging echoes the classical motif of the nymph—a divine spirit of nature often depicted near water, embodying both allure and untamed freedom. We can recall Giorgione’s “Sleeping Venus” or Manet’s “Déjeuner sur l'herbe,” where the female nude provokes thought about our relationship with the natural world. The act of women gathering by water can be seen across time. It evokes ancient rituals of cleansing and renewal. This primal connection to water taps into our collective subconscious, reminding us of life's origins and cycles. The image engages us on a deeply emotional level, stirring feelings of longing, freedom, and a primal connection to the earth. These symbols are not confined to any one era; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, constantly engaging viewers across time.