Who painted Interior?

Interior was painted by Lovis Corinth in 1880.

Where can I see Interior?

Interior is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Interior?

Interior is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Interior

Lovis Corinth , 1880

Interior is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1880 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1880, *Interior* is a graphite drawing on wove paper by German artist Lovis Corinth. Executed early in his career, the work captures a modest domestic space with a straightforward, observational approach that anticipates his later development toward a more expressive visual language.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a simple room: a wooden table bearing a teapot, cups and small dishes, a barrel placed in the foreground, and a chair propped against it. A door and a shelved cabinet appear in the background, rendered with loose lines that emphasize the everyday character of the setting.

Technique & Style

Corinth employs soft graphite shading to model forms and suggest depth, while maintaining a sketch‑like quality. The drawing balances precise delineation of objects with an overall atmospheric effect, reflecting the naturalistic tendencies that marked his early work before his post‑stroke shift toward expressionism.

History & Provenance

Trained in Paris and Munich, Corinth later joined the Berlin Secession, eventually serving as its president after Max Liebermann. *Interior* belongs to the period before his 1911 stroke, when his style was still rooted in realistic observation rather than the later, more emotive approach.

Context

The piece aligns with late‑19th‑century Realist interests in portraying ordinary life and domestic interiors. By focusing on commonplace objects and the play of light, Corinth participates in a broader artistic movement that sought to elevate everyday scenes to subjects worthy of serious artistic inquiry.