Lovis Corinth – Walchensee, Moon in June, 1920 Sotheby’s

The canvas presents a nocturnal landscape dominated by a cool, silvery-blue palette. Here we observe a body of water extending towards a distant shoreline, partially obscured by atmospheric haze. The surface of the water reflects the muted light above, creating an impression of stillness and depth. A large, luminous orb – presumably the moon – hangs prominently in the upper left quadrant, its stark brightness contrasting with the surrounding darkness.
The foreground is defined by dark, roughly rendered foliage, likely trees or shrubs, which frame the view and create a sense of enclosure. These forms are executed with vigorous brushstrokes, adding texture and visual weight to the composition. The artist employed an impasto technique throughout, particularly noticeable in the depiction of the sky and vegetation, lending a tactile quality to the work.
The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation. While the moon’s presence suggests illumination and clarity, the pervasive blue tones evoke a sense of melancholy or introspection. The obscured shoreline hints at the vastness of nature and the limitations of human perception. The framing foliage could be interpreted as symbolic barriers, separating the viewer from the scenes full expanse.
The painting’s subtexts might explore themes of solitude, the passage of time, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The deliberate lack of detail in the distant landscape encourages a subjective interpretation, inviting the viewer to project their own emotions and experiences onto the scene. It is not merely a representation of a place but rather an evocation of a mood or feeling associated with that location at a specific moment.