Amaryllis, Calla Lilies, and Lilacs - Lovis Corinth

A dynamic 1922 still life by Lovis Corinth, featuring a floral arrangement in a ceramic vase rendered with expressive, textured brushwork.

Painted in 1922, this still life by Lovis Corinth demonstrates the artist's late-career shift toward a more fluid, expressive application of paint. Corinth, a central figure in the transition from academic realism to German Expressionism, captures a bouquet of amaryllis, calla lilies, and lilacs housed within a blue and white ceramic vessel. The arrangement sits upon a surface flanked by stacks of books, grounding the composition in a domestic, intellectual setting.

The brushwork is notably loose and energetic. Corinth prioritises the physical texture of the oil paint, allowing individual strokes to remain visible rather than blending them into a smooth finish. This technique creates a sense of immediacy and movement within the floral forms. The white lilacs are rendered with thick, impasto applications that catch the light, contrasting with the more delicate, streaked petals of the amaryllis. The palette remains grounded in earthy tones, punctuated by the cool blue of the vase and the subtle pinks reflected on the tabletop.

Corinth’s approach to this subject avoids the rigid precision of traditional botanical illustration. Instead, he focuses on the atmospheric quality of the scene. The background is suggested through rapid, gestural marks that provide depth without distracting from the central bouquet. The inclusion of the books adds a narrative element, suggesting a quiet moment of study interrupted by the presence of the flowers. This work reflects the artist's preoccupation with the sensory experience of his immediate environment during his final years in Berlin and at his home in Urfeld. It is a direct observation, prioritising the artist's subjective perception over objective representation.