Born in 1858 in Gvardeysk, Lovis Corinth established himself as a central figure in the German art scene through a career that navigated the transition from naturalism to a synthesis of impressionism and expressionism. His diverse output spanned painting, printmaking, and university teaching, eventually leading him to preside over the Berlin Secession during his final decade.
Formative Training and Early Influences
Corinth began his formal education at the Art Academy Königsberg before moving to Munich in 1880, where he attended the Academy of Fine Arts. His development was heavily influenced by the realism of his instructor Ludwig von Löfftz and the techniques of the Barbizon school. After a period of military service, he traveled to Antwerp to study the works of Rubens, followed by a relocation to Paris in 1884. During his time at the Académie Julian, he refined his focus on the female nude and drawing skills.
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Following a nine-year period in Munich, Corinth moved to Berlin in 1900. He became a prominent member of the Berlin Secession, later succeeding Max Liebermann as its president. In 1902, he established a painting school and married one of his students, Charlotte Berend, who became a frequent subject and muse. His artistic trajectory underwent a significant shift after he suffered a stroke in 1911, which left him partially paralyzed. This physical challenge resulted in a looser, more expressionistic style characterized by vibrant colors and an intense focus on domestic intimacy and landscape.
Graphic Works and Mature Mastery
Corinth demonstrated prolific output in printmaking, exploring techniques such as drypoint and lithography. In the final fifteen years of his life alone, he produced over 900 graphic works, including approximately 60 self-portraits. These self-portraits served as a recurring method of self-examination, often featuring the artist in various guises. His landscapes, particularly the series focused on the Walchensee, are frequently cited as the pinnacle of his late-career graphic output, marking a departure into increasingly subjective and spirited depictions of his environment.
Recognition and Later Years
By the end of his life, Corinth had achieved significant institutional recognition, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Königsberg in 1921. He participated in the Venice Biennale in 1922 and continued his creative output until his death in 1925 in Zandvoort, Netherlands, while traveling to view Dutch masters. He is buried at the Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf. Following his death, his work faced a period of ideological condemnation, with Nazi authorities labeling his art as degenerate and removing his works from public collections in 1937.
Fast facts
- Born: 1858, Gvardeysk
- Died: 1925, Zandvoort
- Primary Movements: Impressionism, Expressionism
- Notable Works: The Violinist, Carmencita, Römische Campagna
- President of Berlin Secession: 1915-1925
- Educational Institutions: Academy of Fine Arts Munich, Académie Julian
- Burial Site: Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf
- Honorary Doctorate: University of Königsberg
Questions readers ask
How did the 1911 stroke affect Corinth's painting style?
The stroke left him partially paralyzed and with a chronic hand tremor, causing his style to shift from naturalism toward a more vibrant, expressionistic approach.
What subjects did Corinth primarily depict in his later career?
He focused on portraits, biblical scenes, intimate depictions of family life, and landscapes, most notably the Walchensee series in the Bavarian Alps.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Violinist
- Notable work: Carmencita
- Notable work: Römische Campagna
- Movement: Expressionism and Impressionism
