Portrait of Sophie Cassirer 1906

Editor: Here we have Lovis Corinth's "Portrait of Sophie Cassirer" from 1906, rendered in oil. There's such an intimacy to it, almost like a glimpse into a private moment. But the brushstrokes also feel quite restless, like he's captured her energy. What captures your attention when you look at this painting? Curator: It's interesting you pick up on that restless quality. To me, it feels less about capturing childish energy and more about the tension beneath the surface of a formal portrait. Notice how her eyes meet ours. There’s an almost unnerving directness there, a hint of defiance perhaps, or is it anxiety? Editor: I see what you mean. There's a vulnerability too, maybe? I mean, she's just a little girl with her doll, after all. Curator: Exactly! And Corinth doesn't shy away from presenting those contrasting layers. German Expressionism wasn't afraid of the complexities of human emotion. He uses that very thick impasto—the heavy texture of the paint—to amplify those feelings. The visible brushstrokes create a sense of immediacy and raw honesty. Almost like you are face to face, not only with the sitter, but with the mind of the artist. What do you think her doll represents here? Editor: Perhaps innocence, or the comfort of childhood in a time of rapid social change. Something that tethers her. Curator: Perhaps a stand-in for the artist or viewer; it also faces her like we do. Editor: This really changed the way I looked at what seems at first a cute portrait. There are complexities that makes this artwork captivating. Curator: And it makes you think what could have been going on in Corinth's own world to make this portrait so complicated. The layers of paint somehow translate to layers of story.