Student Artwork Guide

Name Class Date

Lyonel Feininger, Stranded. Public domain.

The facts

Artist: Lyonel Feininger wikioo.org/en/artists/lyonel-feininger/
Artist’s dates: 1871 – 1956
Movement: Expressionism Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Lyonel Feininger died in 1956; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2026.

Stranded — Lyonel Feininger

When might this have been painted?

late works

1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950

born
9
19
29
39
49
59
69
79

Row above: the year. Row below: the artist's age in that year.

Shaded: the lifetime of Lyonel Feininger (1871–1956)

First works: up to 1911 Main working years: 1911–1937 Late works: from 1937

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell.

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Carnival in Arcueil, 1911 wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-carnival-in-arcueil-8XX5W2-en/
Carnival wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-carnival-8LSKQ5-en/
Gelmeroda IX wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-gelmeroda-ix-D3YGMR-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: wikioo.org/en/art/similar/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Rosy Brown #9c9b97

Catalogued palette

#9C9B97
#C8BFB3
#8D877C
#776A5A

Palette: Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Rosy Brown
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Where in the world is this painting looked at?

under 1%
1–3%
3–8%
8–20%
20% and over

This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Lyonel Feininger over the last twelve months — 15 countries in all.

The ten leading countries

1 China 33.3%
2 Germany 28.3%
3 United States of America 16.7%
4 Belgium 3.3%
5 Argentina 1.7%
6 Canada 1.7%
7 Czechia 1.7%
8 Estonia 1.7%
9 France 1.7%
10 United Kingdom 1.7%
· 5 other countries 8.2%

Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

The 20 most looked-at works by Lyonel Feininger

1 The honeymooners 8.6%
2 Gelmeroda IX 5.7%
3 Blue Coast 5.7%
4 Carnival 4.3%
5 Architecture II (Man of Potin) 4.3%
6 Boats, 1917 2.9%
7 Carnival in Arcueil, 1911 2.9%
8 Jesuits III, 1915 2.9%
9 Gelmeroda, VIII 2.9%
10 Gaberndorf II 2.9%
11 Darkened street 2.9%
12 The red violonist 2.9%
13 Nacht 2.9%
14 Karneval in Gelmeroda II 2.9%
15 Manhattan Towers 2.9%
16 Merry Xmas 1 2.9%
17 Stranded this painting 2.9%
18 Expanding Horizon 2.9%
19 Cathedral of Socialism 2.9%
20 The Motor Boat 2.9%

Together these works take 72.1% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 155 works by this artist, of which 40 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 17 of them, with 2.9% of that attention.

Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

Artist

Lyonel Feininger

Born in New York, United States of America

Early Life and Career: From Caricaturist to Fine Artist

Birth and Family: Lyonel Charles Adrian Feininger was born on July 17, 1871, in New York City. His father, Karl Feininger, was a German-American violinist and composer, and his mother, Elizabeth Feininger, was an American singer. This artistic background significantly influenced his early development.

Early Education and European Travels: In 1887, at the age of 16, Feininger traveled to Europe to study music but soon shifted his focus to art. He studied drawing in Hamburg and Berlin.

Commercial Art Career: From 1894 onwards, Feininger established a successful career as a caricaturist for various German, French, and American magazines. His comic strips, such as "The Kin-der-Kids" and "Wee Willie Winkie's World," gained considerable popularity and showcased his unique graphic style.

Transition to Fine Art: After a 20-year stint in commercial art, Feininger transitioned to fine art at the age of 36. This marked a significant turning point in his artistic journey.

Expressionism and Bauhaus Influence

Joining Expressionist Groups: Feininger became a leading exponent of Expressionism, joining influential groups like Die Brücke, Novembergruppe, and Gruppe 1919. His work during this period reflected the movement's emphasis on emotional expression and subjective experience.

First Solo Exhibition: His first solo exhibition at the Sturm Gallery in Berlin (1917) was a pivotal moment, establishing him as a prominent figure in the art world.

Bauhaus Master: In 1919, Walter Gropius appointed Feininger as the first faculty member at the Bauhaus, a groundbreaking school of art and design. He served as the master artist in charge of the printmaking workshop, significantly influencing numerous students.

Artistic Style: His work was characterized by prismatically broken forms, translucent colors, and references to architecture and the sea, aligning him with classical modernism.

Major Works and Artistic Development

Early Marine Paintings: During summer vacations on the island of Usedom (1909-1918), Feininger created numerous marine paintings depicting the Baltic Sea, showcasing his evolving style.

Notable Works: Some of his significant works include "Werder I" (watercolor), "Gaberndorf II" (paper), and "Boats" (cubism, oil on canvas). These pieces exemplify his unique blend of Expressionist techniques and architectural themes.

Photographic Works: Between 1928 and the mid-1950s, Feininger produced a substantial body of photographic works, demonstrating his versatility as an artist.

Musical Compositions: He also composed several piano pieces and fugues for organ, revealing another facet of his artistic talent.

Later Years and Legacy

Emigration to the United States: Due to the rise of the Nazi Party in 1933, Feininger emigrated to the United States with his wife.

Continued Artistic Practice: He continued painting and creating art throughout his life, maintaining a distinctive style.

Death and Recognition: Lyonel Feininger died on January 13, 1956. His work has left an indelible mark on the art world, inspiring artists and enthusiasts alike with its unique blend of Expressionism, graphic experimentation, and architectural themes.

Historical Significance: As a key figure in both Expressionism and the Bauhaus movement, Feininger's contributions significantly shaped the course of modern art. His innovative use of color, form, and perspective continues to resonate with audiences today.

Where to read more

The artist Lyonel Feininger wikioo.org/en/artists/lyonel-feininger/
Similar works More works to compare wikioo.org/en/art/similar/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Stranded

wikioo.org/en/art/download/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Feininger, Lyonel. Stranded. n.d., https://wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/
APA: Feininger, Lyonel (n.d.). Stranded [Painting]. https://wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/
Chicago: Lyonel Feininger. Stranded. n.d. https://wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/
Harvard: Feininger, Lyonel (n.d.) Stranded. Available at: https://wikioo.org/en/art/lyonel-feininger-stranded-8LSKTV-en/

Stranded — Lyonel Feininger

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Carnival in Arcueil (1911), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Expressionism: Colour and shape deliberately distorted so the picture shows an emotion rather than a likeness. Where can you see that in this work?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

Questions & Answers

Who created "Stranded"?

"Stranded" was created by Lyonel Feininger. The information on this page describes Lyonel Feininger's original work.

Can I see "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger under different lights?

The X-Ray page of "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger is an interactive viewer that lets you slide through eleven optical layers of the artwork's image, including an X-ray style view.

In which movement and which era is "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger placed?

In "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger, the Expressionism movement meets the Modern era.

Can I watch "Stranded" as a full-screen slideshow?

A slideshow is available: the Diaporama page of "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger.

Is "Stranded" available as a fine art print?

A print of "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger can be ordered directly on this page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.

What color intensity does "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger have?

The color intensity of "Stranded" is monochromatic. Intensity describes how strong the colors appear.

Can I order an oil reproduction of "Stranded"?

Hand-painted copies of "Stranded" by Lyonel Feininger are sold on this website: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, ordered from this page.