Zwei Mädchen Im Wald 1925

Otto Mueller made "Zwei Mädchen Im Wald" using distemper and charcoal, materials that lend a soft, almost dreamlike quality to the scene. The choice of distemper, a matte pigment mixed with glue, is interesting. It's less durable than oil paint, more akin to fresco – a process-driven medium that demands a certain speed and directness. Charcoal, of course, is similarly immediate. Together, these materials create a surface that's both delicate and raw, perfectly suiting Mueller's expressive style. The texture and weight of the charcoal create depth, while the distemper infuses the work with muted color. These materials are not precious, nor particularly expensive. The artist clearly wanted to bring the rawness and expressivity of the charcoal to the foreground, and the visible, gestural marks highlight the artist's process. By considering materials, making, and context, we can more fully understand the artwork and appreciate the artist’s sensibility.