Europa on the bull 1919

Lovis Corinth made this drawing of Europa on the bull in 1919, likely using graphite or charcoal. The scene unfolds through a flurry of marks, a real testament to the act of drawing. Look at the bull's front legs; they’re planted firmly, rendered with these confident, almost scribbled lines that somehow capture weight and solidity. It’s not about perfect representation, it’s about conveying the essence. The lines are searching and open, creating a sense of movement, as if the bull is about to charge, or perhaps already in motion. It’s interesting to compare Corinth's work to that of Max Liebermann, who was a contemporary of his. Both artists were working within similar circles in Germany, but while Liebermann had a tendency to work with a flatter picture plane, Corinth's work often plays with depth and a more sculptural handling of form. Each was grappling with how to carry forward the legacy of impressionism.