Hannah Brings her Son Samuel to Eli (I Samuel 1:24) - Lovis Corinth

A powerful 1923 lithograph by Lovis Corinth, capturing the biblical moment of Hannah presenting Samuel to Eli through expressive, gestural mark-making.

This lithograph by Lovis Corinth, dated 1923, depicts the biblical narrative of Hannah presenting her young son, Samuel, to the priest Eli. Corinth, a significant figure in German art during the early twentieth century, moved away from his earlier academic training toward a more subjective, gestural style in his later years. This work reflects that shift, prioritising emotional weight and raw mark-making over precise anatomical detail.

The composition is sparse, focusing on the interaction between the figures. Hannah and Samuel are positioned on the right, while the figure of Eli occupies the left. Corinth uses heavy, textured lithographic crayon to build form through shadow and mass rather than outline. The figures emerge from the paper with a sense of urgency, their forms suggested by dense clusters of black marks. This technique creates a stark contrast against the light background, drawing the eye to the central exchange between the mother and the priest.

Corinth produced this work during a period when he was increasingly preoccupied with themes of mortality and spiritual reflection. The rough, almost agitated application of the medium conveys the gravity of the biblical scene, where Hannah fulfils her vow to dedicate her son to the service of God. The work lacks the polished finish of traditional religious art, opting instead for a direct, visceral quality that characterises much of Corinth's late output. The artist's signature and the date are visible in the upper right, integrated into the composition with the same spontaneous energy found throughout the image. This print offers a glimpse into the artist's ability to distil complex narratives into essential, evocative forms, demonstrating his mastery of the lithographic medium in his final years.