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Exploring the German Expressionism Movement

Sep 21, 2024

Notes on German Expressionism Lecture

Introduction

  • Year 1905: Significant year in Modern Art history.
  • Ernst Ludwig Kirchner launched the art movement in Dresden.
  • Movement known as German Expressionism.
  • Kirchner referred to it as "Die Brücke" (The Bridge).

Key Artists and Impact

  • Notable artists:
    • Fritz Bleyl
    • Eric Heckel
    • Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
    • Emil Nolde
    • Max Pechstein
    • Otto Mueller
  • Major impact on 20th-century art.

Identifying Characteristics of German Expressionism

  1. Highly Saturated Colors:

    • Bright yet not aesthetically pleasing when combined.
    • Colors not found in nature.
    • Illustrated by Kirchner's portraits.
  2. Individualized/Personalized Color:

    • Use of color for self-expression.
    • Intense personalized color is a key feature.
  3. Primitive Drawing Style:

    • Self-imposed crude style, inspired by early German woodcuts.
    • Artists chose not to draw realistically despite being trained.
    • Depicted real-world objects using abstract styles.
    • Used jagged lines and shapes to convey menace (e.g., knives, broken glass).
  4. Themes of Discord and Despair:

    • Art depicted a nightmare world filled with sadness, fear, loneliness, and despair.

Historical Context

  • Early 20th century: Unprecedented social change in Germany.
  • Factors:
    • Modern technology
    • Industrialization
    • Armed conflicts and discrimination.
  • Conditions of industrial workers:
    • Poorly paid, substandard housing, harsh working conditions.
    • Led to resentment against the wealthy and aristocrats.

Bohemian Lifestyle of Artists

  • Artists lived a Bohemian lifestyle leading to mental health issues.
  • Associated with Divine Decadence as part of their artistic expression.

Formation of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider)

  • Established in 1911 in Munich by:
    • Wassily Kandinsky
    • Franz Marc
  • Focused on spirituality in art, contrasting with Die Brücke's outlook.
  • Developed lyrical abstraction, blending non-objective art with real-life subjects.
  • Influenced by cubism, Italian futurism, medieval woodcuts, and stained glass.

Impact of World War I

  • Kandinsky returned to Russia due to war outbreak.
  • Loss of key members in combat led to the dissolution of Der Blaue Reiter.
  • German expressionism persisted, laying groundwork for avant-garde movements in the 1920s.

Post World War I Art

  • Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh penalties on Germany, impacting the economy and art.
  • Second wave of expressionists (e.g., Käthe Kollwitz, Otto Dix, Max Beckmann) documented war horrors.
  • German cinema flourished, producing films reflecting crime, horror, and dystopian themes.
  • Notable films:
    • The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
    • Nosferatu
    • Metropolis
    • The Blue Angel

Decline Due to Political Factors

  • Hitler declared German expressionism as degenerate art in 1937.
  • Actions taken:
    • Artists dismissed from teaching positions.
    • 5,000 artworks seized, including notable works by Van Gogh and Picasso.
    • Emil Nolde had 1,052 paintings seized.
    • Many artworks burned or sold; some remain missing.
  • Most artists, except Kirchner, Kandinsky, and Kollwitz, continued their careers post-war.

Conclusion

  • Impact of German Expressionism on modern art and its legacy continues to be studied.
  • Importance of understanding the socio-political context behind the movement.

Thank you for attending the lecture! - Dr. Susan Rayer