Lovis Corinth – Walchensee, Rising Moon, 1922 Sotheby’s

The canvas presents a nocturnal landscape dominated by a large body of water reflecting a dramatic sky. The composition is structured around a central axis defined by the lakes surface, which mirrors the turbulent atmosphere above. A rising moon, rendered as a luminous oval, pierces through the dense cloud cover in the upper left quadrant, its light subtly illuminating the surrounding area.
The artist employed an expressive brushstroke throughout, creating a palpable sense of movement and emotional intensity. The application of paint is thick and impastoed, particularly noticeable in the depiction of the mountains that frame the scene on either side. These peaks are rendered with broad strokes of blues, purples, and hints of pink, suggesting both their physical presence and an underlying mood of melancholy or awe.
The water itself is not depicted as a tranquil surface; instead, it appears agitated, its reflections distorted by the wind and the uneven terrain beneath. Patches of yellow and white are scattered across the lake’s surface, possibly representing moonlight glinting off ripples or suggesting submerged vegetation.
In the foreground, a small group of figures is discernible near the shoreline. They appear diminutive in scale compared to the vastness of the landscape, their forms blurred and indistinct, contributing to a sense of isolation and human insignificance within the grandeur of nature. The presence of these figures introduces an element of narrative ambiguity; are they observers, participants, or simply fleeting moments captured within this expansive scene?
The color palette is predominantly cool – blues, purples, and greens – with occasional bursts of warmer tones in the sky and along the shoreline. This contrast enhances the dramatic effect and contributes to a feeling of unease or mystery. The overall impression is one of sublime beauty tinged with a sense of foreboding, suggesting a moment of profound contemplation amidst the power and indifference of the natural world. Theres an underlying tension between the tranquility of the water’s surface and the turmoil in the sky, hinting at hidden depths and unspoken emotions.