Bismarckfeier (Celebration for Bismarck)

Art Historical Context

**Bismarckfeier (ation for Bismarck)**, created by Lovis Corinth in1915, captures a moment of fervent German nationalism amid World War I. Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor who unified Germany in 1871, remained a potent symbol of strength and pride. This print likely commemorates a public celebration honoring his legacy, reflecting the era's patriotic fervor as Germany rallied during the early, optimistic phase of the conflict. Corinth, a leading German Expressionist, infused his works with emotional intensity and bold forms, transitioning from Impressionism to a more dramatic, psychological style in his later years. Rendered as a hand-colored transfer lithograph on laid paper (sheet: 42 x 33.4 cm), the medium showcases Corinth's mastery of printmaking. Transfer lithography allowed precise reproduction of complex drawings by offsetting images from paper to stone, while hand-coloring added vibrant, individualized touches—elevating it beyond mass production. The laid paper's textured chains enhance its tactile, traditional appeal, evoking 19th-century print traditions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art (gift of Ruth and Joseph Bromberg in honor of Andrew Robison), this work highlights Corinth's versatility and the cultural role of prints in wartime propaganda and commemoration. Visitors will appreciate its vivid energy, a window into a nation's turbulent spirit.

About the Artist

Lovis Corinth · 1858–1925

Lovis Corinth, born Franz Heinrich Louis on July 21, 1858, in Tapiau, East Prussia (now Gvardeysk, Russia), to a tanner father, displayed prodigious drawing talent from childhood. He began formal training at the Königsberg Academy in 1876, then moved to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich from 1880 to 1884, studying under Ludwig von Löfftz and briefly Franz von Defregger, where he absorbed a Realis...