8.2 German Expressionism and Die Brücke

German Expressionism emerged in early 20th century Germany as a reaction against Impressionism. Artists sought to express inner feelings rather than depict external reality. This movement developed during a time of social and political upheaval, marked by rapid industrialization and growing feelings of alienation.

Die Brücke, formed in Dresden in 1905, pioneered Expressionism by rejecting traditional conventions. They embraced a more primitive, emotional approach influenced by medieval German art and African art. The group helped establish Expressionism as a major force in German art, paving the way for other movements.

German Expressionism

Context of German Expressionism

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• Emerged in early 20th century Germany as a reaction against Impressionism and academic art, seeking to express inner feelings and emotions rather than depicting external reality
• Developed during a time of social, political, and cultural upheaval in Germany marked by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and growing feelings of alienation and disillusionment
• Influenced by various philosophical and intellectual movements, including Friedrich Nietzsche's ideas on individuality and the rejection of traditional values and Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious mind
• Coincided with the outbreak of World War I (1914-1918), with artists responding to the brutality and trauma of war through their work

Die Brücke's role in Expressionism

• Formed in Dresden in 1905 by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, later joined by other artists (Emil Nolde, Max Pechstein)
• Pioneered the Expressionist movement in Germany by rejecting traditional artistic conventions and embracing a more primitive, emotional approach influenced by medieval German art, African and Oceanic art, and Fauvism
• Contributed to the development of Expressionist painting and printmaking techniques, with woodcut prints becoming a distinctive feature of the group's work characterized by bold, simplified forms and expressive colors
• Helped establish Expressionism as a major force in German art, paving the way for other Expressionist groups (Der Blaue Reiter)

Themes in German Expressionism

• Explored alienation and anxiety in modern society by depicting the loneliness and isolation experienced by individuals in rapidly changing urban environments, reflecting the sense of disillusionment and uncertainty felt by many Germans
• Delved into psychological states and inner turmoil, exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche (fear, despair, madness) and seeking to express the raw, unfiltered emotions of the artist
• Some artists, particularly those associated with Der Blaue Reiter, explored spiritual and mystical themes influenced by various philosophical and religious ideas (theosophy, Eastern mysticism)
• Addressed social and political issues of their time (poverty, inequality, horrors of war) and criticized the materialistic values and conformity of bourgeois society

Techniques of Expressionist artists

• Rejected naturalistic representation in favor of expressive distortions, using elongated, angular, or simplified figures and objects to convey emotional intensity
• Employed vivid, non-naturalistic colors to evoke specific moods and emotions, often using jarring color combinations and contrasts for dramatic effect
• Emphasized the physical act of painting through loose, gestural brushwork that conveyed a sense of spontaneity and immediacy
• Popularized the use of woodcut prints as a medium for Expressionist art, creating stark, high-contrast images with bold, simplified forms that reflected the influence of primitive art and the desire for a more direct, authentic means of expression