Groupe scene

The composition is Gottlieb's variation on classical motifs: the artist combines in one work, among others, a turbaned woman sitting backward (a reference to Ingres's "The Bather"), a figure carrying a jug, a figure holding a bowl, and a man standing backward. The work could have been a preparatory study for another work or a collection of artistic exercises in mastering individual movements. More likely, however, "Group Scene" showcases Gottlieb's ability to transform established formulas in art, a full-fledged testament to his interests and the dialogue he maintained with the Old Masters. The artist most readily drew inspiration from El Greco, whose œuvre inspired him to paint his elongated figures in unique color combinations. The composition can be treated as an invitation to explore potential allusions, transformed by Gottlieb's creative power. Moreover, the work foreshadows the artist's creative interests, which he developed after 1926 in works such as "Gardeners" and "Collections."