Zwei Zigeunerinnen 1923

Otto Mueller painted "Zwei Zigeunerinnen" using distemper on canvas, a technique employing pigments bound with glue. The materiality here is key. Distemper lacks the glossy sheen of oil paint; it yields a matte, almost chalky surface. Look closely, and you can see how this influences the appearance, lending a feeling of earthiness to the figures. This medium is less durable and less valued, traditionally, than oil. It might be seen as a 'lesser' medium, more appropriate to the creation of ephemeral works. It suggests a kind of social positioning. Mueller aligned himself with the German Expressionists, a group attuned to the raw realities of modern life. By choosing distemper, he seems to suggest a connection between his art and the everyday experiences of his subjects, creating a tangible link between material, making, and social context. This invites us to consider the value we place on materials and how that ties into broader perceptions of class and labor.