Scene from Berlin, 1923

In the late years of the creative career of German artist Lovis Corinth (1858–1925), he took a growing interest in graphic art, which led to a large number of etchings and lithographs. The drawing showing a Scene from Berlin served as model for a lithograph. It is a historical view of the Berlin Schlossfreiheit complex. The site on the Museum Island in Berlin’s Central District was already built in the 17th century and saw several constructional modifications over time. After suffering heavy damages in World War II, it eventually disappeared altogether when the ensemble was blasted in 1950. Corinth presents a narrow angle, starting at the Spree Canal and bordered in the background by the Perlin Palace. Architecture, nature, and occasional people are rendered with forceful, dynamic strokes.

AK, 2021