Lovis Corinth, German, 1858-1925 – Portrait of Sophie Cassirer Philadelphia Museum of Art

The composition presents a young girl seated in a substantial wooden chair. She is positioned centrally within the frame, commanding immediate attention. Her gaze is directed forward, seemingly beyond the viewer, conveying a sense of introspection or perhaps mild apprehension. The artist has rendered her with a palette dominated by muted blues and pinks, creating an overall impression of fragility and youthfulness.
The brushwork is notably loose and expressive; strokes are visible throughout, particularly in the rendering of the girl’s dress and the chair itself. This technique lends a sense of immediacy to the portrait, as if capturing a fleeting moment rather than presenting a meticulously detailed representation. The light source appears to originate from the left, illuminating her face and upper body while casting shadows that define the contours of her features and the chairs structure.
Beside her rests a doll, partially obscured by a pink fabric – likely a blanket or shawl – which contributes to the overall feeling of tenderness and domesticity. The doll’s presence reinforces the subjects identity as a child, while its placement suggests comfort and security.
The background is indistinct, rendered in broad strokes of beige and brown, which serves to isolate the figure and focus attention on her expression and posture. This lack of detail contributes to an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The chair itself, with its dark wood and ornate carvings, provides a visual anchor for the composition and suggests a sense of established social standing or familial importance.
Subtly, there is a tension between the girl’s direct gaze and her somewhat melancholic expression. This combination hints at an underlying complexity beyond the surface appearance of innocence. The loose brushwork and muted colors contribute to a mood that is both delicate and slightly unsettling, inviting speculation about the subjects inner world.