The three kings c. 1920

Adolf Hölzel made ‘The Three Kings’ with oil paint, and you can see how he worked it, how he coaxed the image into being. I can imagine him, brush in hand, maybe squinting, building up layers. It's all about feeling here, right? Look at the way he's daubed that deep yellow and let it almost drip, giving us those figures. The paint isn't trying to be anything but paint; it sits on the surface, all thick and juicy. And those reds and blues, swirled together, make a kind of vibrant hum. Notice how the white of the veil sings against the murky background, so loose and free, but it also defines the image, giving it feeling, intention, and meaning. It's not just a painting of a biblical scene; it’s Hölzel grappling with color and form, letting the paint guide him. Painters are always talking to each other, you know? They riff on each other's moves, steal ideas, and push things further. Hölzel’s got this conversation going with other painters, and he’s inviting us to listen in.