Vorfrühling 1917

Albin Egger-Lienz made "Vorfrühling," using oil on canvas, and the color is so specific. Like a dusty terra cotta, it evokes a certain earthiness, and you get the sense that the artist is totally in touch with the physical process of making. There’s such a tangible quality to the way Egger-Lienz applies the paint here. It’s not about hiding the brushstrokes or creating an illusion of smoothness. You can practically feel the texture of the canvas beneath the paint, like he wanted to honor the materials. Look at the figure on the left: the way that blue contrasts with the ochre palette of the mountain in the background is really interesting, especially as his body is rendered in almost cubist shapes. It suggests a fragmented perspective, maybe symbolizing the disruption of winter, or the process of building something new. For me, "Vorfrühling" reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker, in the way she worked with earthy tones and her interest in working-class life. Painting is a conversation between artists; each one adds their voice to an ongoing dialogue.