7.1 Expressionism in Germany

German Expressionism emerged as a powerful artistic movement in early 20th-century Germany. Artists rejected academic traditions, using distorted forms and vibrant colors to convey intense emotions and inner experiences.

The movement was deeply influenced by van Gogh and Munch, whose bold styles and psychological themes resonated with German artists. Two key groups, Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter, shaped Expressionism's development, exploring urban life, spirituality, and abstraction.

Emotional Intensity in German Expressionism

Artistic Reaction and Techniques

Top images from around the web for Artistic Reaction and Techniques

• 

  Expressionism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Franz Marc 020.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Expressionism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Expressionism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Franz Marc 020.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Artistic Reaction and Techniques

• 

  Expressionism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Franz Marc 020.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Expressionism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Expressionism - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Franz Marc 020.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• German Expressionism emerged as a reaction against academic traditions and Impressionism focused on inner emotions and subjective interpretations of reality
• Artists deliberately distorted forms, exaggerated colors, and employed vigorous brushstrokes to convey intense emotional states and psychological experiences
• Use of symbolic imagery and non-naturalistic color schemes aimed to evoke strong emotional responses in viewers
• Depicted urban scenes, human figures, and landscapes reflected anxiety, alienation, and spiritual yearning prevalent in early 20th-century German society
• Concept of "inner necessity" articulated by Wassily Kandinsky shaped the Expressionist approach to art-making and emotional expression
  • Emphasized the artist's intuitive and spiritual connection to their work
  • Encouraged spontaneous and abstract forms of expression

Themes and Societal Context

• Explored themes of existential angst, social critique, and spiritual transcendence through emotionally charged works
• Reflected the rapid industrialization and urbanization of German society
  • Portrayed crowded city streets and alienated urban dwellers
• Addressed psychological impact of modernity on the individual
  • Depicted feelings of isolation and inner turmoil
• Incorporated influences from non-Western art (African and Oceanic tribal art)
  • Used bold, simplified forms and vibrant colors inspired by these sources

Van Gogh and Munch's Influence

Stylistic Inspirations

• Vincent van Gogh's bold use of color, expressive brushwork, and emotional intensity directly inspired German Expressionist artists
  • Pursuit of raw, unfiltered expression in their work
• Van Gogh's technique of impasto and vibrant color palette inspired experimentation with thick application of paint and non-naturalistic color choices
  • Created textured surfaces and heightened emotional impact
• Edvard Munch's exploration of psychological themes profoundly influenced German Expressionists' approach to depicting inner turmoil and existential anxiety
  • "The Scream" became an iconic example of emotional expressiveness in art
• Emphasis on subjective experience and use of distorted forms in both van Gogh's and Munch's works resonated with German Expressionists
  • Sought to convey emotional truth rather than visual reality
  • Distorted proportions and perspective to communicate inner states

Thematic and Conceptual Influences

• Munch's use of symbolic imagery shaped the iconography and subject matter of German Expressionist art
  • Explored themes of love, death, and melancholy
• Both van Gogh and Munch's rejection of academic conventions aligned with German Expressionists' desire to break free from traditional artistic norms
  • Encouraged experimentation and personal artistic vision
• Van Gogh's intense focus on nature and rural life influenced German Expressionists' approach to landscape painting
  • Infused natural scenes with emotional and spiritual significance
• Munch's exploration of the human psyche in works like "Anxiety" and "Melancholy" inspired German Expressionists to delve deeper into psychological subject matter
  • Depicted internal struggles and emotional states through visual metaphors

Characteristics of Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter

Die Brücke (The Bridge)

• Founded in Dresden in 1905, characterized by raw, primitive style, bold colors, and focus on urban life, sexuality, and nature
• Artists included Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Emil Nolde, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
• Often depicted nude figures in natural settings and explored themes of modern alienation and primal human experiences
  • "Bathers at Moritzburg" by Kirchner exemplified this approach
• Favored woodcut prints as a medium, reviving and modernizing this traditional German technique
  • Created stark, expressive black and white images
• Manifesto called for a bridge between the past and future of art
  • Sought to connect German artistic traditions with modern expressiveness

Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider)

• Established in Munich in 1911, emphasized spiritual and abstract elements in art
• Led by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc
• Pursued a more lyrical and abstract approach, focusing on the spiritual dimension of art and expressive power of color and form
  • Kandinsky's "Composition VII" exemplified this abstract spiritual approach
• Particular interest in color theory and relationship between art and music
  • Explored synesthesia and the idea of "visual music"
• Experimented with a wider range of media and styles compared to Die Brücke
  • Included painting, printmaking, and even stage design
• Almanac emphasized interconnectedness of different art forms and the spiritual in art
  • Published essays and artworks exploring these themes

Shared Characteristics

• Both groups shared an interest in non-Western art, particularly African and Oceanic tribal art
  • Influenced their stylistic choices and approach to form and color
  • Sought to capture the perceived emotional directness of "primitive" art
• Emphasized the expression of inner emotional states over realistic representation
• Rejected academic artistic conventions and sought new forms of artistic expression
• Explored the relationship between art and spirituality, albeit in different ways

World War I's Impact on German Expressionism

Disruption and Personal Experiences

• Outbreak of World War I in 1914 led to dissolution of both Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter groups
  • Significantly altered the trajectory of German Expressionism
• Many German Expressionist artists conscripted into military service
  • Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Franz Marc among those affected
  • Profoundly impacted their artistic output and personal lives
• War experience intensified emotional content and social criticism in German Expressionist art
  • Led to more grotesque and distorted representations of human figures and society
  • Otto Dix's "The War" triptych exemplified this post-war critique

Post-War Themes and Movements

• Horrors and trauma of war became central themes in post-war German Expressionist art
  • Artists like Otto Dix and George Grosz created powerful anti-war works
  • Critiqued society and politics through their art
• Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) movement emerged as a reaction to Expressionism
  • Emphasized a more sober and realistic approach to depicting post-war German society
  • Artists like Max Beckmann adopted this style
• Economic hardships and political instability following World War I influenced artists to address new themes
  • Social inequality, political corruption, and human condition featured prominently
  • Käthe Kollwitz's prints depicted the struggles of the working class

Long-Term Consequences

• Rise of National Socialism in post-war Germany eventually led to suppression of German Expressionism
  • Many works labeled as "degenerate art" by the Nazi regime
  • Artists faced persecution and exile
• War's impact led to a diaspora of German Expressionist artists
  • Many fled to other countries, influencing international art movements
• Legacy of German Expressionism continued to influence later 20th-century art movements
  • Abstract Expressionism in the United States drew inspiration from German Expressionist techniques and emotional intensity