Zwei sitzende Mädchen vor liegender Figur 1912 - 1914

Otto Mueller made this woodcut titled, "Zwei sitzende Mädchen vor liegender Figur" or "Two Seated Girls Before a Reclining Figure," during a period of significant social change and artistic experimentation in Germany. Mueller, associated with the Die Brücke expressionist group, sought to express deep emotional experiences through his art. The print depicts three nude female figures in a natural setting, a common theme in Mueller's work. These women, with their simplified forms and serene expressions, evoke a sense of naturalness and freedom. It's impossible to ignore the male gaze that romanticizes the female form. Mueller grew up in a Romani community, and his work often showed people living on the margins of society. While the print celebrates a certain kind of natural beauty, it also hints at the complexities of representing women and the male gaze in art. It invites us to think about the ways in which identity, gender, and representation intersect, reflecting both the artist's personal history and the broader cultural landscape.