Otto Friedrich

Probably, MAK Monatszeitschrift VII, 1904, Heft 3 & 4, pp. 177-178 (mentioned ‘eine Anzahl weiblicher Akte die Wimmeln (Wie sie sind)(numerous female nudes mingling (As they are)’)

Probably, Prager Tagblatt, Kunst, no. 54, 23 February 1904, p. 8 (mentioned 'In einem Cyklus ‘Menschen’ stellt sich Friedrich auch als Ideemaler vor. Am besten ist ihm da ein Gemälde Wie sie sind gelungen. Eine Gruppe nackter Frauen, deren Körper und Körperstellungen uns auch ihre Seelen bloßlegen sollen. (In the cycle ‘Humans‘ Friedrich presents himself as painter of ideas. The most accomplished works in this cycle is As they are. A group of naked women, whose bodies and postures aim to reveal their souls)')

The present work, painted circa 1901-02 is from the cycle ‘Menschen’ (Humans). Friedrich was inspired stylistically by Lovis Corinth and Max Slevogt . The painterly execution is reminiscent of other important works by Friedrich from this period, such as Eitelkeit (Vanity) and Eva, also exhibited at the Berlin Secession in 1906.

We are grateful to Dr Markus Fellinger for his assistance in cataloguing this work.