Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Blue Coast

Lyonel Feininger

Name Class Date
Lyonel Feininger, Blue Coast. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Lyonel Feininger originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/lyonel-feininger/
Artist’s dates
1871 – 1956
Movement
Cubism Objects broken apart and shown from several viewpoints at once, all flattened onto one surface.

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.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 15, 2026

Blue Coast — Lyonel Feininger Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Blue Coast — Lyonel Feininger

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1870
  2. 1880
  3. 1890
  4. 1900
  5. 1910
  6. 1920
  7. 1930
  8. 1940
  9. 1950

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 85 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Lyonel Feininger (1871–1956) every dated painting, decade by decade

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. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

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 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lyonel-feininger-carnival-in-arcueil-8XX5W2-en/
  • Carnival originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lyonel-feininger-carnival-8LSKQ5-en/
  • Gelmeroda IX originaluniqueart.com/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: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Steel Blue #3a71a6

    Catalogued palette

    • #3A71A6
    • #B7C2BA
    • #6E9BB1
    • #1D3468

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Steel Blue
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft 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. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 33.3%
    2. 2 Germany 28.3%
    3. 3 United States of America 16.7%
    4. 4 Belgium 3.3%
    5. 5 Argentina 1.7%
    6. 6 Canada 1.7%
    7. 7 Czechia 1.7%
    8. 8 Estonia 1.7%
    9. 9 France 1.7%
    10. 10 United Kingdom 1.7%
    11. · 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. 1 The honeymooners 9.9%
    2. 2 Gelmeroda IX 5.6%
    3. 3 Blue Coast this painting 5.6%
    4. 4 Carnival 4.2%
    5. 5 Architecture II (Man of Potin) 4.2%
    6. 6 Boats, 1917 2.8%
    7. 7 Carnival in Arcueil, 1911 2.8%
    8. 8 Jesuits III, 1915 2.8%
    9. 9 Gelmeroda, VIII 2.8%
    10. 10 Gaberndorf II 2.8%
    11. 11 Darkened street 2.8%
    12. 12 The red violonist 2.8%
    13. 13 Nacht 2.8%
    14. 14 Karneval in Gelmeroda II 2.8%
    15. 15 Manhattan Towers 2.8%
    16. 16 Merry Xmas 1 2.8%
    17. 17 Stranded 2.8%
    18. 18 Expanding Horizon 2.8%
    19. 19 Cathedral of Socialism 2.8%
    20. 20 The Motor Boat 2.8%

    Together these works take 71.5% 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 3 of them, with 5.6% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    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.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 15, 2026

    Blue Coast — Lyonel Feininger Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    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 originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/lyonel-feininger/
    • Similar works More works to compare originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Blue Coast

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Feininger, Lyonel. Blue Coast. n.d., https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/
    APA
    Feininger, Lyonel (n.d.). Blue Coast [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/
    Chicago
    Lyonel Feininger. Blue Coast. n.d. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/
    Harvard
    Feininger, Lyonel (n.d.) Blue Coast. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/lyonel-feininger-blue-coast-8LSKPT-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 15, 2026

    Blue Coast — Lyonel Feininger Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Blue Coast — Lyonel Feininger

    Look closely

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

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: colour, beach, sea. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Carnival in Arcueil (1911), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Cubism: Objects broken apart and shown from several viewpoints at once, all flattened onto one surface. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

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

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 15, 2026

    Blue Coast — Lyonel Feininger Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Where can I buy a digital image of "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger?

    "Blue Coast" is available as a high-resolution digital image download, purchased directly on this page.

    Where can I see a preview of "Blue Coast"?

    A preview of "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger is available on the artwork's Preview page.

    How do the colors of "Blue Coast" relate to each other?

    "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger displays a balanced harmony color harmony.

    Where can I buy a print of "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger?

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

    Can the image of "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger be freely reproduced?

    The copyright answer for "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger: the work is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. This determines whether reproductions of the image may be freely made.

    Can I see an X-ray view of "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger?

    The X-Ray view of "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger is on the artwork's X-Ray page: an interactive examination of the image through eleven optical layers.

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

    "Blue Coast" by Lyonel Feininger is placed in the Cubism movement, within the Modern era of its creator.

    What style does "Blue Coast" belong to?

    "Blue Coast" is a work of Cubism. The movement indicates the artistic tradition the work is part of.