Drei Kleine Mädchen 1902

Lovis Corinth made this oil painting, Drei Kleine Mädchen, or Three Little Girls, in 1902. There’s a looseness to Corinth’s brushwork here that gives a sense of movement, even though the girls are posed. It's as though he’s captured a fleeting moment in time. I’m drawn to the way Corinth uses color and texture to bring the girls to life. The paint is applied in layers, with visible brushstrokes that create a sense of depth and dimension. The girls' dresses are rendered with delicate strokes of white and pale blue, while their hair is a mix of warm browns and golds. Notice the girl on the left, she has a toy sailboat, rendered in thick impasto, that seems almost as alive as the girl herself. Corinth’s approach reminds me of other Impressionist painters like Manet, who also experimented with loose brushwork and unconventional compositions. But Corinth brings his own unique sensibility to the canvas, capturing the innocence and vulnerability of these young girls with honesty and grace. It’s a painting that invites us to reflect on the passage of time and the beauty of everyday moments.