Expressionism: Art and Artists // Art History Video

Accessible Art History

19 Mar 202105:42

Summary

TLDRThis episode of 'Accessible Art History' delves into 20th-century Expressionism, a movement that aimed to evoke deep emotions through art. Focusing on the works of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Otto Dix, and Vasily Kandinsky, the video explores their responses to World War I and the impact on their art. Kirchner's 'Self-Portrait as a Soldier' and Dix's 'Stormtroopers Advancing Under Gas' illustrate the horrors of war, while Kandinsky's 'Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles' showcases his exploration of color and emotion. The video also touches on the artists' struggles with the rise of the Nazi regime and their contributions to the art world.

Takeaways

🎨 Expressionism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, focusing on evoking deep emotions through art.
🌟 The movement began in Germany, a time of political and economic chaos, and was influenced by the horrors of World War One.
🖌️ Expressionists were inspired by post-impressionists like Vincent van Gogh and late medieval German art, creating a unique and jarring style.
🔴 Two main groups emerged: Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), each with distinct approaches to color and emotion in art.
👨‍🎨 Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in Die Brücke, used color to evoke emotional responses and is known for his self-portrait as a soldier.
🚑 Kirchner's experiences in World War 1 deeply affected his work, reflecting the physical and mental toll of war.
🖼️ Otto Dix, another influential artist, focused on portraiture and the harsh realities of war, with his work reflecting the alienation and horror he witnessed.
🚫 Dix faced censorship under the Nazi regime, which labeled him a 'degenerate' and confiscated many of his works.
🌈 Vasily Kandinsky, a pioneer of abstract art, explored color theory and spirituality in art, moving away from traditional representation.
🌟 Kandinsky's 'Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles' demonstrates his experimental approach to color and emotional impact.
🌍 The movement had a global reach, with artists like Kandinsky working across multiple countries and influencing art worldwide.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Expressionist art?
-The main focus of Expressionist art is to create art that evokes deep emotions in the viewer, often reflecting the artists' reactions to the horrors of World War One and the chaotic state of the world at that time.
How did the Expressionist movement begin?
-Expressionism began in the first decade of the 20th century in Germany, with artists reacting to the chaotic global politics, economy, and the horrors of World War One.
What are the two main groups of Expressionist artists mentioned in the script?
-The two main groups of Expressionist artists mentioned are Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider).
What was unique about the color theory used by Expressionists?
-Expressionists utilized the color theory used by Post-Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh, but they were also inspired by the forms and composition found in late medieval German art, creating a jarring combination that evoked emotional responses.
Who were the founding members of Die Brücke?
-The founding members of Die Brücke were Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff.
What was the perspective of Der Blaue Reiter group?
-Der Blaue Reiter, led by Vasily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, believed in the spirituality of art and that color could be used as symbolism to achieve understanding beyond the visual.
Why was Ernst Ludwig Kirchner discharged from World War 1?
-Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was discharged from World War 1 in 1915 due to a nervous breakdown and other health issues.
What was the fate of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's works under the Nazi regime?
-Under the Nazi regime, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's works were labeled as degenerate, and hundreds of his pieces were destroyed.
What is the significance of Otto Dix's artwork 'Stormtroopers Advancing under Gas'?
-Otto Dix's 'Stormtroopers Advancing under Gas' is significant as it depicts the horrors of war, with the soldiers appearing alien-like in their protective gear, evoking discomfort and an emotional response from the viewer.
How did Vasily Kandinsky's background in law and economics influence his approach to art?
-Vasily Kandinsky's background in law and economics may have contributed to his analytical approach to color and form, as seen in his experimental works where he explored color combinations and their emotional effects.
What was the inspiration behind Kandinsky's 'Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles'?
-Kandinsky's 'Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles' was inspired by his desire to experiment with different color combinations to see how they interacted and what emotional responses they would invoke.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Introduction to 20th Century Expressionism

The video begins by acknowledging a subscriber suggestion to explore 20th-century expressionist art. Expressionism is characterized by its focus on evoking deep emotions, often in response to the horrors of World War I. The movement originated in early 20th-century Germany amidst global chaos and was influenced by post-impressionist color theory and late medieval German art. Two main groups emerged: Die Brücke (The Bridge), founded by artists including Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), led by Vasily Kandinsky and Franz Marc. These groups emphasized color's emotional impact and the spiritual dimension of art, respectively.

05:02

🖌️ Artistic Journeys and Expressionist Works

The video delves into the lives and works of key expressionist artists. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, despite his family's desire for a traditional education, pursued art and co-founded Die Brücke. His experiences in World War I and subsequent health issues deeply influenced his art, which was later deemed 'degenerate' by the Nazis, leading to the destruction of many of his works. Otto Dix, another significant figure, was profoundly affected by his wartime experiences, which he channeled into his art, particularly in his portraiture and genre works. His piece 'Stormtroopers Advancing under Gas' is a stark depiction of war's horrors. Vasily Kandinsky, initially a law and economics professor, turned to art after being inspired by Monet's use of color. He co-founded Der Blaue Reiter and explored the emotional potential of color in his works, such as 'Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles'.

🌟 The Impact and Legacy of Expressionism

Expressionism aimed to revolutionize the conception of art, particularly in its use of color and its pursuit of emotional responses. The movement sought to help people connect with and achieve emotional expression through art. The video concludes by thanking the subscriber for the suggestion and highlighting the importance of expressionism in art history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Expressionism

Expressionism is an early 20th-century art movement characterized by the use of vivid colors and abstract forms to express emotions and ideas. In the video, Expressionism is the central theme, with a focus on how artists used this style to evoke deep emotions in viewers, particularly in response to the horrors of World War I. The video discusses how Expressionists drew inspiration from past art movements like Post-Impressionism and late medieval German art.

💡World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that took place from 1914 to 1918. In the video, the war is mentioned as a significant influence on the Expressionist movement, as many artists who experienced the war firsthand used their art to convey the emotional trauma and horrors they witnessed.

💡Color Theory

Color theory is a set of principles that artists use to understand how colors interact and how they can be used to create specific visual effects. The video mentions that Expressionist artists utilized color theory, particularly drawing from the work of Post-Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh, to create jarring and emotionally evocative artworks.

💡Deutscher Werkbund (De Bruja)

Deutscher Werkbund, also known as Die Brücke or 'The Bridge', was a group of Expressionist artists in Dresden. The video explains that these artists aimed to change the art world by focusing on the emotional responses evoked by color. They are mentioned as one of the two main groups or schools of thought within the Expressionist movement.

💡Der Blaue Reiter

Der Blaue Reiter, or 'The Blue Rider', was another significant group within the Expressionist movement, based in Munich. Led by Vasily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, they believed in the spiritual aspect of art and the symbolic use of color. The video discusses how this group's perspective on art was more than just painting, emphasizing the deeper meanings and emotions behind the artwork.

💡Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was a key member of Die Brücke and is highlighted in the video for his emotional and psychologically charged self-portraits, particularly 'Self-Portrait as a Soldier' from 1915. The video describes how his experiences in World War I and subsequent health issues influenced his art, leading to works that expressed his inner turmoil.

💡Otto Dix

Otto Dix is another prominent Expressionist artist discussed in the video. He is known for his stark and often disturbing depictions of war, such as 'Stormtroopers Advancing under Gas'. The video explains how Dix's wartime experiences profoundly affected his art, leading him to create pieces that conveyed the horrors and alienation of war.

💡Vasily Kandinsky

Vasily Kandinsky, though born in Russia, is a central figure in the Expressionist movement discussed in the video. He is noted for his innovative use of color and form to evoke emotion and his belief in the spiritual aspect of art. The video mentions his work 'Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles' as an example of his experimental approach to color and its emotional impact.

💡Degenerate Art

Degenerate Art was a term used by the Nazi regime to describe art that they deemed un-German or inappropriate. The video discusses how many Expressionist works, including those by Kirchner and Dix, were labeled as such and subsequently destroyed, reflecting the political and ideological conflicts with the movement's values.

💡Emotional Response

Emotional response is a key aspect of Expressionist art, as the movement aimed to provoke strong feelings in the viewer. The video emphasizes how Expressionist artists used color, form, and subject matter to create artworks that were not just visually striking but also emotionally resonant, often reflecting the artists' own experiences and the turbulent times they lived in.

Highlights

Introduction to the Expressionist movement and its focus on evoking deep emotions through art.

Expressionism's emergence in early 20th century Germany amidst global chaos and the horrors of World War I.

Artists' reactions to societal issues by drawing inspiration from past art styles, such as Post-Impressionism and Late Medieval German art.

Formation of two main Expressionist groups: Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter, each with distinct philosophies on art and emotion.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's background, his founding of Die Brücke, and the impact of World War I on his life and art.

Kirchner's self-portrait as a soldier, symbolizing his emotional turmoil and physical wounds from the war.

Otto Dix's artistic development, influenced heavily by his experiences in World War I.

Dix's provocative artwork, 'Stormtroopers Advancing under Gas,' reflecting the horrors and discomforts of war.

Vasily Kandinsky's unconventional path to becoming an artist, inspired by Monet's use of color and texture.

Kandinsky's role in founding Der Blaue Reiter and his exploration of color as a form of symbolism.

The significance of Kandinsky's 'Color Study Squares with Concentric Circles' in understanding his artistic process.

Expressionism's challenge to traditional art composition and its emphasis on emotional response.

The destructive impact of the Nazi regime on Expressionist artists, including the censorship and destruction of their works.

The legacy of Expressionism in changing perceptions of art and its potential to evoke deep emotional experiences.

Acknowledgment and appreciation for the subscriber 'A Curious World' whose suggestion inspired the video's topic.