Thomas Corinth 1922

Lovis Corinth created the etching "Thomas Corinth" during a period of significant social and political transformation in Germany. As we consider the identity of the sitter, Corinth’s son Thomas, we can also consider the artist’s own identity. He was part of the avant-garde Berlin Secession movement. Corinth’s decision to create a portrait of his son, captures a specific moment in their relationship. The raw and expressive lines of the etching convey a sense of emotional intensity and perhaps even vulnerability. The portrait raises questions about how we perceive masculinity. Does it reinforce traditional ideas, or does it reveal a more sensitive side? “Art is always the result of one’s experience” Corinth wrote, and through this lens, the work reflects the artist's life and experiences. It invites us to reflect on the familial bonds that shape our understanding of self and society.