Artwork
Martyrium (Martyrdom)
Martyrium (Martyrdom) is an ink print by Lovis Corinth. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: "Martyrium"; lower right in graphite: Lovis Corinth
About this work
Overview
Martyrium (Martyrdom) is a 1921 drypoint print executed on laid paper. The work is rendered entirely in black, employing the characteristic incised lines of the drypoint technique to convey a stark, graphic composition.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a tightly packed group of figures in various postures, standing, kneeling, and leaning, suggesting a scene of collective suffering or sacrifice. The tangled arrangement and heavy, burdened figure at the front evoke the intensity of a martyrdom narrative.
Technique & Style
Corinth employed a drypoint needle to cut uneven, jagged lines into the paper, producing a rough, scratchy texture. This approach aligns with his later expressive manner, favoring spontaneous, gestural marks over precise rendering, and emphasizes urgency and emotional rawness.
Context
After a debilitating stroke in 1911, the German artist shifted from naturalistic representation toward a more expressionist vocabulary, marked by looser handling and heightened emotional content. Martyrium reflects this post‑stroke period, illustrating his adoption of bold, sketch‑like qualities.
History & Provenance
Created during Corinth’s tenure as a leading figure in the Berlin Secession, the print was produced in the early 1920s, a time when he was actively exploring printmaking alongside his painting practice. Its exact ownership trail remains limited to the artist’s own distribution.
Own this work as a print
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.
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