Expressionism | ArtBlock

Summary

Expressionism, a dynamic art movement that began in early 20th-century Germany, defied traditional artistic forms, emphasizing personal emotions and subjective experiences. Rooted in a rejection of Impressionism, it spanned various regions and influenced numerous other movements. Key groups like 'Die Brücke' and 'Der Blaue Reiter' led by artists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Wassily Kandinsky, experimented with distorted shapes and vivid colors to convey angst, alienation, and frustration. Despite its decline due to Nazi oppression, Expressionism's influence endures across art, literature, music, and film, continuing to shape modern artistic expression.

Takeaways

• 😀 Expressionism is not a clearly defined art movement but rather a style or attitude, and its influence extends beyond visual arts.
• 😀 Expressionism emerged as a rejection of Impressionism, which focused on calm, natural scenes, while Expressionism addressed personal, emotional, and societal turmoil.
• 😀 The movement began in 1905 in Dresden, Germany, with the formation of the group 'Die Brücke' ('The Bridge'), led by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and others.
• 😀 Die Brücke artists, mostly architecture students without formal training, sought to express raw, internal feelings, favoring bold, distorted shapes and unnatural colors.
• 😀 Expressionism was influenced by psychoanalysis, especially the works of Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche, and by artists such as Paul Gauguin, Edvard Munch, and Vincent van Gogh.
• 😀 In 1911, the 'Der Blaue Reiter' ('The Blue Rider') group, led by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, took a more spiritual approach to Expressionism, focusing on abstract forms and the emotional power of color.
• 😀 Expressionism spread beyond Germany to Austria, where artists like Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt used provocative imagery, often challenging traditional norms and pushing boundaries in art.
• 😀 Expressionism also influenced other countries, including France, where artists like Henri Matisse and Chaim Soutine engaged with the movement in different ways.
• 😀 After World War I, Expressionism declined as political movements such as the 'New Objectivity' rejected its emotional idealism, and Nazi repression led to the destruction and confiscation of Expressionist works.
• 😀 Expressionism's legacy continued through the Abstract Expressionism movement in the U.S. in the 1940s and 50s, and it was revived in the 1970s with Neo-Expressionism, led by artists like Georg Baselitz and Julian Schnabel.

Q & A

What is expressionism, and why is it difficult to define?

Expressionism is an art movement that, over time, has come to represent more than just a specific style or technique. It has evolved in different ways and can be found in a variety of artistic fields, making it difficult to define with a single, rigid meaning. It encompasses a range of emotions, personal expression, and a reaction to societal changes, often characterized by distorted forms and vivid colors.

How did expressionism differ from impressionism?

Expressionism was a reaction against impressionism. While impressionism focused on peaceful, natural scenes and the changing effects of light, expressionism aimed to portray raw, emotional experiences and subjective feelings. The expressionists rejected the calm and realistic approach of impressionism, opting instead for distorted shapes and unnatural colors to convey emotional depth.

What was the significance of De Brooka in the development of expressionism?

De Brooka (The Bridge) was a key group in the development of expressionism, founded in Dresden, Germany, in 1905 by four architecture students. Their goal was to create a bridge to future art, using personal expression rather than formal technique. The group rejected traditional art styles and emphasized emotional authenticity, heavily influenced by psychoanalysis and symbolist art.

What role did psychoanalysis play in the development of expressionism?

Psychoanalysis, particularly the works of Freud and Nietzsche, played a significant role in expressionism. Artists were influenced by the exploration of the unconscious mind and mental processes, which inspired them to delve into emotional and psychological themes in their art, often expressing inner turmoil, alienation, and existential fear.

Who were some of the key members of De Brooka, and what was their contribution?

Key members of De Brooka included Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Carl Schmid-Rottluff, Fritz Bleyl, and Erich Heckel. They sought to create art that was personal and raw, reflecting their inner emotions rather than adhering to traditional techniques. Their work often featured distorted shapes, bold line work, and intense colors to evoke strong emotional responses.

What was the 'Blue Rider' group, and how did it differ from De Brooka?

The 'Blue Rider' group, founded by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc in 1911, had a more spiritual focus compared to De Brooka's emotional intensity. While both groups embraced expressionism, the Blue Rider group was less formal, and its members were more loosely associated. They sought to explore the connection between color and spirituality, and their work emphasized the inner essence of subjects rather than external reality.

How did expressionism spread beyond Germany?

Expressionism spread to other parts of Europe, with notable artists emerging in Austria (such as Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt), France (with artists like Henri Matisse and Georges Rouault), and other countries. These artists brought unique elements to expressionism, such as more sexually charged imagery and social commentary, while continuing to focus on emotional expression through distorted forms and vivid color.

What was the impact of World War I on the expressionist movement?

World War I had a significant impact on expressionism, both directly and indirectly. The war resulted in the deaths of key members of the Blue Rider group, such as Franz Marc, and forced others like Kandinsky to return to their home countries. The violence and destruction of the war led to a shift in art, with a greater focus on political and social themes, and the decline of expressionism as a dominant movement in Europe.

What happened to expressionism under the Nazi regime?

Under the Nazi regime, expressionism was labeled as 'degenerate art,' along with works by Jewish artists and others deemed politically or culturally unacceptable. The Nazis seized thousands of expressionist artworks, and many artists went into exile or faced persecution. Some, like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, suffered tragic fates, including suicide. This marked the end of expressionism's dominance in Germany.

How did expressionism influence later art movements?

Despite its decline after World War I and the rise of the Nazis, expressionism continued to influence subsequent art movements. In the 1940s, abstract expressionism emerged in the United States, with artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko drawing inspiration from expressionist ideas of emotional intensity and personal expression. Additionally, neo-expressionism in the 1970s revived many of the same themes, and expressionist techniques continue to influence various forms of art, including literature, architecture, music, and film.