Magnolia Bud 1937

drawing

17_20th-century

drawing

abstract expressionism

abstract painting

possibly oil pastel

fluid art

german

acrylic on canvas

underpainting

paint stroke

painting painterly

watercolour bleed

watercolor

"Magnolia Bud" is a 1937 painting by German Expressionist Christian Rohlfs. The artwork features a stylized, abstract interpretation of a magnolia flower bud, rendered with bold, expressive brushstrokes and a limited color palette. The vibrant yellows and greens capture the essence of the flower's form, while the thick lines and gestural marks convey a sense of energy and vitality. This work exemplifies Rohlfs's unique style, which combined natural imagery with a distinctly modern aesthetic. Today, "Magnolia Bud" is part of the Städel Museum collection and is a testament to Rohlfs's enduring legacy in the history of German art.

Comments

stadelmuseum about 1 year ago

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Extensive experiments with painting technique contributed to shaping Rohlfs’s oeuvre. In order to achieve certain pictorial effects, he tried out a wide variety of paint mediums and developed different methods of applying and removing them. The ‘Magnolia Bud’ has an accordingly elaborate painting process to thank for its unique hazy effect. The delicate blossom looks as if it has come there on a gentle breeze. It consists of an indistinct blend of quiet yellows and greens, to which Rohlf added a shine here and there with the aid of a fixative. Only very few wide lines of chalk accentuate the forms.