Talk about a study in contrasts!
Lovis Corinth was a Prussian painter born Franz Heinrich Louis. The adoption of a more exotic name was of a piece with how he lived, especially in his youth. Throughout his service in the military and his travels through Europe, he was passionate about art and passionate about being passionate.
The painting on top is an excellent bit of self-salesmanship. The English translation of its title is "Self Portrait with His Wife and a Glass of Champagne." With one hand he caresses the breast of a pretty young woman, naked to the waist. Her name was Charlotte Berend, and yes he did marry her. She was an artist in her own right as well. In the other hand he hoists a glass of red wine (so technically, not champagne.) This is the artist's life as imagined by many of those who aspire to it. It's also the artist's life as imagined by those who want to keep artists out of their neighborhood.
The lower painting, for obvious reasons, is titled "Self-Portrait with a Skeleton." Corinth, in his studio, looks more of a paunchy businessman. It's an earlier painting, which of course means he's actually younger. He and the skeleton together regard and interrogate the viewer. It could be part of a harrowing team interview. ("What would ya say...ya do here?") One window is open, perhaps providing much-needed ventilation on a hot and stifling day. This depiction of the artist's life is more realistic on a day-to-day basis. It may still be fun, but in a quieter way.
1 comment:
I like your interpretation of these two paintings. It appears Lovis led an interesting life both before and after his major success as an artist. By the time both of these images were created he was already successful - the portrait of him with his young talented wife is lovely. A happy time for them both.
The other one, 'Self-Portrait with a Skeleton', depicts the artist with the skeleton as model - a not unusual example of a common consideration in art at that time or any time. Perhaps it was his version of the theme or maybe he was envisioning himself as he would appear in the future and in the more distant future. He does look a bit dumpier than he really looked in 1896.
He and Charlotte married in 1903 and lived together until his death in 1925 when he was old but not that old. Still, when the Nazis came to power in the 30s as a Jewess she decided to relocate to New York with their children. Meanwhile during the war Lovis' paintings were labeled 'Degenerate Art' and collections of his work were broken up. Some were destroyed, others sold, and some sold to private buyers.
https://www.smb.museum/en/exhibitions/detail/in-sight/
Are you familiar with the work of a Spanish contemporary, Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida? Known as the painter of light long before the imposter Kincaid.
https://www.artsy.net/artwork/joaquin-sorolla-y-bastida-sewing-the-sail
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