Weeping Magdalen Lovis Corinth (1858-1925)

The composition presents a close-up portrait of a woman in evident distress. The artist has focused intently on her face and upper torso, cropping the figure tightly within the frame. Her gaze is directed upwards, beyond the viewer, suggesting a state of profound introspection or supplication. Tears stream down her cheeks, emphasized by the visible texture of the paint used to render them. The mouth is slightly open, conveying a silent sob or gasp.
The palette is dominated by warm earth tones – browns, ochres, and fleshy pinks – applied with vigorous, expressive brushstrokes. This technique lends a sense of immediacy and emotional intensity to the scene. Light falls unevenly across her body, highlighting certain areas while leaving others in shadow, further contributing to the dramatic effect. The hair is rendered as a cascade of dark, swirling strokes that partially obscure the face, adding to the feeling of vulnerability and concealment.
The woman’s nudity is not presented with any overt sensuality; instead, it appears to underscore her emotional exposure and fragility. The lack of background context isolates the figure, forcing the viewer to confront her raw emotion directly. Theres a palpable sense of psychological weight conveyed through the posture and facial expression – an overwhelming sadness or regret seems to emanate from the subject.
The artist’s handling of light and shadow creates a visual tension that mirrors the emotional turmoil depicted. The visible brushwork, rather than concealing the process of creation, becomes part of the expressive language of the work, amplifying the sense of immediacy and psychological depth. The overall effect is one of profound melancholy and introspection, inviting contemplation on themes of sorrow, repentance, or perhaps even spiritual suffering.