Expressionism
Gabriella Louw JLGQM5XS6
The blog was created with the purpose of making a visual collection of art movements that will let the reader better understand the ideologies and aesthetic ideals of the Expressionism Movement.
Background
The Expressionism Art Movement started in Gemany, as a way to seek comfort after World War 1, before it spread to the rest of the continent. It is a manifestation of post impressionism (Zigrosser, 1957), these artists revolted against the superficial naturalism of the academic Impressionist. Expressionists did not attempt to portray the world realistically, they chose to portray extreme emotions that they felt in reaction towards the world that they experience (expressionistic instead of realistically portrayed). Expressionism could be defined by looking at "Die Brucke", whose name references a "youthful eagerness to cross into a new feature" (Richman-Abdou, 2019) and "Der Blaue Reiter".
Characteristics
By looking at these two German groups ("Der Blaue Reiter" and "Die Brucke") we can understand the different characteristics of the movement. "Die Brucke" expressionists (1905) distorted forms, boldly simplified exaggerated colours and used swaying exaggerated bush strokes. They emphasized the alienation that occurred in modern urban society. A key theme was the pleasures and dangers of urban life. "Der Blaue Reiter" expressionists (1911) made their art less emotional, lyrical more abstract and harmonious. Colours had a far more symbolic meaning and their work was more spiritually based.
Artifact used as Example
Self Portrait as a Soldier by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1915)
The artwork "Self Portrait as a Soldier" (Kirchner, 1915) is a perfect example of a classic "Die Brucke" artwork. It made use of bright/exaggerated colours (red background and yellow skin) to portray how the artist felt. The artwork itself portrays how Kirchner felt after he was in the war. The artist also simplified and distorted the forms used to portray the figures in the artwork and portrayed alienation by having the mans back turned to the naked woman's figure.
Contemporary Art
Eyes of Aquamarine by Olga Rykova (unknown)
This artwork, "Eyes of Aquamarine" (Rykova, date unknown), shows how modern artists implement the Expressionism Movement in the modern era. The artist has used colour to an exaggerated level, while certain forms have been distorted (hair) and simplified (mouth). The view can clearly see that the excessive use of the blue colour is used to portray emotion in this art work. The mouth brush strokes (pallet knife) also conveys chaotic emotion, making it clear that this artist found these expressionism characteristics as a suitable way to portray emotion even today.
References
Grimm, D. (2017, May 2). Der Blaue Reiter [The Blue Rider]. Retrieved from Routledge: https://www.rem.routledge.com/articles/der-blaue-reiter-the-blue-rider
Muralha, F. (2018, October 6). Expressionism | Die Brücke and Der Blaue Reiter. Retrieved from Citaliarestauro: https://citaliarestauro.com/en/expressionism-die-brucke-der-blaue-reiter/
Richman-Abdou, K. (2019, August 25). The Origins of Expressionism, an Evocative Movement Inspired by Emotional Experience. Retrieved from My Modern Met: https://mymodernmet.com/what-is-expressionism/
Scott, D. (2018, December 9). What You Can Learn From The Expressionist Art Movement. Retrieved from Draw Paint Academy: https://drawpaintacademy.com/expressionist-art-movement/
Zigrosser, C. (1957 ). The Expressionist . New York: George Braziller.
Image references:
https://www.artnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/9.-Ernst-Ludwig-Kirchner-Self-Portrait-as-a-Soldier-1915.-Allen-Memorial-Art-Museum.jpg?w=869
