Sun over the Pine Forest - Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

A bold 1913 Expressionist oil painting by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, featuring a stylised sun over a geometric pine forest.

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, a founding member of the Die Brücke group, produced this work in 1913. This period marks a shift in his practice towards more geometric and simplified forms. The composition features a stylised sun, rendered as a stark, pale disc, positioned above a dense cluster of pine trees. The artist employs heavy, dark outlines to define the trunks and needles, separating them from the warm, ochre-toned ground.

Schmidt-Rottluff rejects traditional perspective in favour of a flattened, graphic quality. The trees are not depicted with botanical accuracy, but rather as angular, jagged shapes that convey the raw energy of the forest. The colour palette is restricted to earthy yellows, deep browns, and blacks, which creates a sense of heat and intensity. The light emanating from the sun is represented by simple, directional strokes, further emphasising the graphic nature of the scene.

This piece reflects the broader German Expressionist interest in primitive forms and the subjective experience of nature. By stripping away unnecessary detail, the artist focuses on the emotional resonance of the environment. The heavy brushwork and bold colour choices are characteristic of his output during the years leading up to the First World War. The work remains a clear example of how the Die Brücke artists sought to move away from academic realism, choosing instead to communicate through simplified, powerful visual language. The signature and date are visible in the lower right corner, confirming its place within his 1913 catalogue of works.