Schwestern c. 1930

Karl Wiener made this artwork, Schwestern, in the first half of the 20th century. Look at the way these figures emerge from soft blocks of color. The faces, necks, and hands are rendered in a yellow ochre that, in turn, is outlined in dark, thick lines. I wonder what it was like to create this image. Did he want to capture a likeness, or was he more interested in the relationship between the sisters? The painting's surface is textured, almost like a rough paper, which gives the colors a grainy quality, especially the red and green of the dress on the left. I am intrigued by the thick outline of the woman’s face. The lines give way to soft, almost impressionistic renderings. Like many artists, Wiener pulls from a variety of movements and art history to make his own work. Painting is a way to embrace uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations. It is in these interactions that the painting comes alive!