Artwork
Bacchanal
Bacchanal is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in graphite: Lovis Corinth
About this work
Overview
Bacchanal is a 1914 drypoint print by Lovis Corinth, a German artist known for his work in painting and printmaking. The print is executed in black on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a group of figures dancing in a forest, their movements captured in a state of dynamic energy. The scene is characterized by a sense of wild abandon, with trees and figures intertwined in a tangled, dreamlike atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Corinth employed the drypoint technique, scratching directly into the plate to create a distinctive, textured line. The resulting image is marked by loose, expressive lines and a blurred, atmospheric quality, reflecting Corinth's mature style, which synthesized elements of impressionism and expressionism.
Context
Created in 1914, Bacchanal reflects Corinth's post-stroke style, which became looser and more vibrant after a 1911 stroke. This shift was part of a broader evolution in his work, as he moved away from naturalism and toward a more expressive, dynamic approach to figuration and composition.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lovis Corinth (21 July 1858 – 17 July 1925) was a German artist and writer whose mature work as a painter and printmaker realized a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism.
