Des Künstlers Schwiegermutter (The Artist's Mother-in-Law)

Art Historical Context

Lovis Corinth, a leading figure in German Expressionism, *Des Künstlers Schwermutter (The Artist Mother-in-Law)* in 1920, late in his prolific career. This intimate dry print captures a personal subject—Corinth's own mother-in-law—rendered in black ink on laid paper. The remarkably narrow plate (13.7 x 1.1 cm) suggests a focused, almost jewel-like portrait, emphasizing emotional depth over grandeur, with the larger sheet (25.2 x 19.5 cm) providing a subtle frame for contemplation. Drypoint, Corinth's favored intaglio technique, involves scratching directly into a metal plate with a sharp needle, producing a soft, velvety line quality from the burr of raised metal. This method allowed for spontaneous, expressive marks aligning with Expressionism's emphasis on raw emotion and psychological insight. Created amid the cultural ferment of Weimar Germany, the work reflects Corinth's post-stroke introspection, blending portraiture with personal narrative. Now housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W Department as a gift from the Marcy Family, this print exemplifies Corinth's mastery of printmaking, bridging his bold paintings with delicate, tactile intimacy. Visitors will appreciate its quiet power—a window into family life through an artist's unflinching gaze.

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...