#21310 Lovis Corinth (1858-1925)

The painting presents a female figure viewed from behind, positioned within what appears to be a sparsely furnished interior space. The woman is nude and stands with her arms raised, gently grasping her hair as if in contemplation or perhaps attempting to dry it. Her posture conveys a sense of quiet introspection, an arrested moment of private activity.
The artist employed a loose, expressive brushstroke throughout the composition. This technique lends a vibrancy and immediacy to the scene, softening any potential for starkness that might arise from depicting a nude figure in such a direct manner. The color palette is dominated by warm tones – ochres, browns, and pinks – which contribute to an overall feeling of intimacy and warmth. Light streams in from a window behind the woman, illuminating her back and casting shadows across the room.
The setting itself seems deliberately understated. A chair draped with a pink cloth sits to the left, while a dark, rectangular form – possibly a wardrobe or cabinet – occupies the right side of the canvas. These elements are rendered with less detail than the figure, serving primarily as compositional anchors and contributing to the sense of enclosure. The floor is suggested through broad strokes of muted color, further emphasizing the focus on the woman’s presence.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of privacy and vulnerability. The act of drying ones hair can be interpreted as a mundane, everyday ritual, yet when presented in this context – the figure turned away from the viewer, her body exposed – it takes on a more profound significance. There is an element of voyeurism inherent in the composition; we are granted access to a private moment that would normally remain unseen. The woman’s averted gaze and introspective posture suggest a self-awareness, as if she is conscious of being observed, even though no direct interaction with an external presence is depicted.
The lack of explicit narrative allows for multiple interpretations. It could be read as a study in the human form, an exploration of light and shadow, or a meditation on solitude and introspection. The painting’s power lies in its ability to evoke these feelings through simple composition and expressive brushwork.