Reading Woman 1888

Lovis Corinth painted *Reading Woman* using oil on canvas, with the date of its creation currently unknown. The quick, loose brushwork suggests that Corinth produced this portrait in a single sitting, or perhaps just a few. Rather than carefully building up layers of paint, he directly applied color to canvas. It’s a far cry from the highly finished surfaces favored by academic painters of the time. There’s a tremendous amount of implied labor here, with the artist needing a high degree of skill and confidence to work so freely. The relative cost of materials would also be a factor. Oil paint had become widely available in tubes, allowing artists to work with greater speed and spontaneity. Ultimately, the painting invites us to consider the social context in which it was produced, especially the changing status of both art and artists. It's a compelling work, a great example of Corinth's ability to convey an intimate moment with such expressive economy.