Introductory Visual Arts: Art History Timeline - Expressionism Munch Kandinsky Der Blaue Reiter Kirchner Die Brücke Die Brücke SchmidtRottluff Heckel Nolde Pechstein Die Brücke Egon Schiele Kokoschka

What It Is

Expressionism is an early 20th-century art movement characterized by distorted forms, vibrant colors, and intense emotions. Edvard Munch's "The Scream" (1893) exemplifies Expressionism's focus on capturing inner experiences and psychological turmoil. Understanding Expressionism is crucial for analyzing artworks that convey emotional intensity and subjective experiences.

Key Terms & Techniques

• Distortion: altering forms to convey emotions or ideas. Example: Munch's elongated figures in "The Scream."
• Vibrant Colors: using bold, bright colors to evoke emotions. Example: Kirchner's use of red in "The Street, Dresden" (1909).
• Emotional Intensity: conveying strong emotions through art. Example: Egon Schiele's self-portraits, which often express anxiety and vulnerability.
• Subjective Experience: focusing on personal feelings and perceptions. Example: Kandinsky's "Composition VII" (1913), which reflects his spiritual and emotional experiences.
• Abstract Expressionism: a later development of Expressionism, characterized by non-representational forms. Example: Jackson Pollock's "No. 61 (Rust and Blue)" (1952).
• Die Brücke: a German Expressionist group founded in 1905, known for their bold, colorful paintings. Example: Schmidt-Rottluff's "The Fisherman" (1908).
• Fauvism: a related movement characterized by vibrant colors and energetic brushstrokes. Example: Matisse's "The Dance" (1909-1910).
• Emotional Expression: conveying emotions through facial expressions and body language. Example: Kirchner's "The Street, Dresden" (1909), which depicts people with distorted, expressive faces.
• Distorted Proportions: altering proportions to convey emotions or ideas. Example: Munch's "The Scream" (1893), which features an elongated figure.
• Expressive Brushstrokes: using bold, expressive brushstrokes to convey emotions. Example: Kandinsky's "Composition VII" (1913), which features dynamic, swirling brushstrokes.
• Inner Experience: focusing on personal, subjective experiences. Example: Schiele's self-portraits, which often express his inner turmoil.
• Kandinsky's Der Blaue Reiter: a 1911 exhibition that showcased Expressionist art, featuring works by Kandinsky, Marc, and other artists.
• Theorist: Wilhelm Worringer: a German art historian who wrote about Expressionism, emphasizing its emotional and subjective aspects.
• Method: automatism: a technique where artists create art without conscious control, allowing emotions and instincts to guide the process. Example: Pollock's "No. 61 (Rust and Blue)" (1952).

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Expressionism is a type of abstract art.
• Correction: Expressionism can be representational or non-representational, but it always focuses on conveying emotions and subjective experiences. Example: Kirchner's "The Street, Dresden" (1909) is a representational work that expresses emotions through distorted forms and vibrant colors.
• Misunderstanding: Expressionism is only about painting.
• Correction: Expressionism encompasses various art forms, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and even film. Example: Schiele's self-portraits are a key example of Expressionist sculpture.
• Misunderstanding: Expressionism is a 20th-century movement.
• Correction: Expressionism has its roots in 19th-century art, particularly in the works of artists like Munch and Van Gogh. Example: Munch's "The Scream" (1893) is an early example of Expressionist art.

Quick Identification

1. Describe an artwork that features distorted forms and vibrant colors, conveying a sense of emotional intensity. Identify the concept.
2. Answer: Expressionism
3. Reason: The artwork's focus on conveying emotions and subjective experiences is characteristic of Expressionism.
4. Describe a technique where artists create art without conscious control, allowing emotions and instincts to guide the process. Identify the concept.
5. Answer: Automatism
6. Reason: Automatism is a technique that allows artists to tap into their emotions and instincts, creating art that is often expressive and spontaneous.
7. Describe a historical situation where a group of artists came together to showcase their work, emphasizing its emotional and subjective aspects. Identify the concept.
8. Answer: Kandinsky's Der Blaue Reiter
9. Reason: Der Blaue Reiter was an exhibition that showcased Expressionist art, highlighting its emotional and subjective aspects.

Last?Minute Revision

Expressionism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term "Expressionism" was first used by the German art historian Wilhelm Worringer in 1908. Die Brücke was a German Expressionist group founded in 1905. Egon Schiele was an Austrian Expressionist painter and sculptor. Kirchner's "The Street, Dresden" (1909) is a key example of Expressionist art. Kandinsky's "Composition VII" (1913) features dynamic, swirling brushstrokes. Munch's "The Scream" (1893) is an early example of Expressionist art. Expressionism can be representational or non-representational. Theorist: Wilhelm Worringer. Method: Automatism. Example: Pollock's "No. 61 (Rust and Blue)" (1952). Example: Schiele's self-portraits. Example: Kirchner's "The Street, Dresden" (1909). Example: Kandinsky's "Composition VII" (1913).