Expressionism

1. Period and Location: Expressionism

This lesson covers artwork from the years between 1905 and 1913. You will explore artwork from Paris, France, where the Fauvists revealed their new works of art at the Autumn Salon of 1905. You will also learn about artwork from Dresden, Germany, home of the Expressionist group Die Brücke. Finally, you will see artwork from Munich, Germany, home of The Blue Rider, another Expressionist group.

term to know

Expressionism

An art movement characterized by exaggerated and distorted forms and colors used by artists to increase an emotional reaction from the viewer.

2. Woman with a Hat

Henri Matisse’s work was unique for many reasons, but his experimentation with forms of painting is largely unequaled. His visual style was broad, which had as much to do with his provincial upbringing as it did with his academic training. In time, his experimentations led him to develop a style negatively dubbed ‘fauvist,’ or wild beast, by critics due to its unorthodox painterly approach to color application, depictions of space, and appearance of brush strokes.

Similar to the Impressionists, Fauvists, or followers of Fauvism, embraced their initially critical title. Matisse’s work within this genre of painting was incredibly influential and was largely credited with the development of the Expressionist style that spread throughout Europe in the early 20th century. This contributed to Matisse’s widely held reputation among art historians as one of the most important, if not the most important, French painter of the 20th century.

EXAMPLE

Below is a painting of Matisse’s wife, La Femme au Chapeau (“Woman with a Hat”):

Woman with a Hat, along with several other works in a similar style, was exhibited at the Autumn Salon of 1905 in Paris, where it was met with strong criticism. Despite the initial backlash, this painting represents a significant shift in Matisse’s artistic approach. He began to prioritize color and brushstroke, drawing inspiration from the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists before him. Matisse, however, used these elements to convey human emotion from his distinct perspective.

This technique marks a departure from the Impressionists’ approach, who used color and brushstroke to capture the observable effects of light. While Impressionists were driven by external observations, Expressionists like Matisse were motivated by internal emotions and subjective experiences.

term to know

Fauvism

A 20th-century experimental art movement, deriving from the French word “fauve,” meaning “wild beast;” distinguished using boldly colored landscapes and portraits.

3. Portrait of Madame Matisse (The Green Stripe)

The second painting by Matisse is also of his wife, and it is another example of his use of color to define features and evoke a feeling.

EXAMPLE

Below is Portrait of Madame Matisse, originally titled La Raie Verte, which translates to “The Green Stripe.”

did you know

Matisse was a dedicated teacher who influenced several younger artists through his academy, the Académie Matisse, which he founded in Paris. The academy was unusual for its time because it was independent of the official salons and encouraged individual expression..

Notice the flatness in the Portrait of Madame Matisse, that recalls the work of Cézanne and Gauguin. A green stripe down the middle of her face breaks the form into two sides: one cooler and the other warmer. Rather than play with the color value, as one would in a realistic portrait, Matisse substitutes the colors outright. He doesn’t use a naturalistic palette because this isn’t an interpretation of what he sees but rather his interpretation of the emotion being projected.

Fauvism placed a strong emphasis on color as a form of personal expression, it was a vehicle for communicating the artist’s emotional response to the world around them, rather than a mere visual reproduction. This philosophy contributed to the broader modernist emphasis on subjectivity in art.

4. Die Brücke and The Blue Rider Group

In Germany, two Expressionist groups formed within about five years of each other and shared the common goal of expression in art, but each emphasized different areas. These two groups were:

• Die Brücke, or “The Bridge,” was established in Dresden, Germany, in 1905 with Ernst Ludwig Kirchner as one of its co-founders. This group aimed to forge a link between traditional and modern artistic techniques, and their work is often characterized by bold colors and emotional expressiveness.

terms to know

Die Brücke (The Bridge)

A 20th-century German Expressionist art movement consisting of a group of artists whose work is characterized by unnaturalistic, bold colored landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits. The group sought to bridge the traditional past of German art with the modern, avant-garde future.

The Blue Rider

In German, Der Blaue Reiter; an informal group of early 20th-century artists founded by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc. The movement was not bound by a strict manifesto but was united by a common desire to express spiritual truths through art. The name "Der Blaue Reiter" was inspired by Kandinsky's affection for the color blue and Marc’s admiration for horses, symbolizing the love and joy Kandinsky and Franc wished to instill in their art.

5. Street, Dresden

This painting by Kirchner, titled "Street, Dresden," exemplifies the kind of subjects that artists from Die Brücke often explored.

The name “Die Brücke” (The Bridge) signifies the artists’ intention to create a connection between the artistic past and the future. Members of this group adopted a Bohemian lifestyle, viewing it as a distinct departure from the conventional norms of the bourgeoisie. They showed a keen interest in “Primitivism,” drawing inspiration from Oceanic art and German folk art, and often traveled to remote areas of Germany for retreats.

In their revival of the woodcut technique, these artists emphasized rough, broad lines, intentionally showcasing these elements rather than smoothing them over, which added a raw energy to their work. In this painting by Kirchner entitled Street, Dresden, the use of vibrant colors and bold forms conveys themes of anxiety and tension, reflecting the alienating experience of modern urban life. The technique proves impactful, as the painting portrays a crowded yet impersonal city scene where, despite the presence of many figures, there is a noticeable lack of intimacy or interaction among them. This lack of connection among the figures enhances the sense of isolation and disconnection, embodying the negative aspects of city life.

EXAMPLE

Compare the above painting with this painting of the city by Renoir:

While depicting different cities, the contrast between the two paintings is stark. Renoir's work radiates joy and companionship, whereas Kirchner's painting communicates a sense of isolation. Both paintings show people in close proximity, yet Kirchner's approach intentionally presents a more subdued and hollow atmosphere, emphasizing the stark differences in the emotional experiences conveyed by each artist.

6. Fate of the Animals

Franz Marc and Wassily Kandinsky were co-founders of the group that came to be known as The Blue Rider, purportedly named from a 1903 Kandinsky painting of the same title Like Kandinsky, Marc was a spiritual person. His paintings of the early 20th century were predominantly of animals, which he felt were spiritually closer to nature.

EXAMPLE

Below is the painting by Fraz Marc entitled Fate of the Animals.

Fate of the Animals is an apocalyptic vision that reflects Marc’s growing anxiety about the state of the world. The painting depicts a forest in violent disarray, with animals and trees fragmented in a chaotic, cataclysmic scene. This representation can be seen as a premonition of the destruction and suffering of World War I, which began shortly after the painting was completed.

Marc was known for his symbolic use of color and his interest in portraying the emotional and spiritual life of animals. In this painting, the use of sharp colors and bold lines conveys a sense of urgency and turmoil. Marc assigns colors symbolic meanings—blue for masculinity and spirituality, yellow for feminine joy, and red for violence and war, which intertwine to narrate the tragic fate of the natural world. By portraying animals caught in a devastating storm of color and form, Marc comments on the broader existential threats posed by human conflict and environmental disregard.

This shift is evident in his visual style and the sharp geometric shards, inspired by Cubism, that separate and isolate the animals represented in the picture. This new style replaced the more tranquil and communal imagery from Marc’s earlier painting. Fate of Animals is an example of this shift and likely Marc’s most famous painting.

did you know

Tragically, Franz Marc died in World War I, making Fate of the Animals one of his last major works. The painting is often seen as a culmination of his artistic and philosophical explorations. It has been influential in shaping the way modern art addresses complex themes such as war, environmentalism, and the intersection of fate and free will.

7. Improvisation No. 28 (Second Version)

Wassily Kandinsky’s artwork is infused with a sense of positivity and optimism that many find captivating. Renowned as one of the pioneers of pure abstraction in painting, Kandinsky’s work transcends traditional forms to explore deeper spiritual and metaphysical themes. His spiritual inclinations deeply influenced his artistic philosophy; he aimed to capture internal experiences rather than mere external realities, believing that his art could serve as a catalyst for heightened spiritual consciousness in viewers

Furthermore, Kandinsky’s work delves into the intersection of visual art and music, reflecting his innovative approach to synthesis across sensory experiences. He is believed to have experienced synesthesia, a condition where sensory pathways overlap, allowing him to perceive colors when he heard music and vice versa. For example, when Kandinksy saw light blue he heard flutes or when he saw dark blue, he heard cellos. This unique sensory capability enriched his art, enabling him to create visual representations of musical compositions, thereby offering a multi-sensory experience that was groundbreaking in the realm of visual arts. This exploration of synesthesia not only set his work apart but also contributed significantly to the development of abstract art, making his contributions invaluable to the progressive spirit of modern art. }}

did you know

Some people with synesthesia may experience a certain taste upon reviewing shapes, and thus specific shapes would literally taste different. Kandinsky’s condition may have been communication, or cross-communication, between his visual and auditory centers, visualizing sound.

This condition of synesthesia may explain his affinity for Expressionism and his naming scheme for his paintings, which follow classical music, using words like Composition and Improvisation. These open-ended and vague titles also detach the artworks from any objective descriptions. This allows the viewer to interpret the image without any identifying guidance from the artist.

EXAMPLE

Kandinsky’s painting Improvisation 28(second version) was considered by Kandinsky himself to be his first purely abstract work of art.

Kandinsky believed that colors and shapes had the power to elicit spiritual vibrations in the viewer. Improvisation 28 (second version) exemplifies this belief, using dynamic, swirling forms and a vivid palette to evoke deep emotional responses. Kandinsky saw his improvisations as expressions of his inner life, akin to how a musician uses improvisation in music. This work not only advanced the field of abstract art but also influenced numerous other artists and movements. Kandinsky’s abstract works laid foundational concepts for later developments in modern art, including Abstract Expressionism, where artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko will further explore abstraction and emotional expression.

did you know

Alongside his artistic practice, Kandinsky was also a prolific writer. His theories about art, particularly about the psychological effects of color and form, were elaborated in his book Concerning the Spiritual in Art (1911). Improvisation 28 (second version) serves as a practical manifestation of these ideas, showcasing his belief that art should transcend the mere visual depiction of objects and instead aim to represent deeper truths. In the book, Kandinsky celebrates blue as a visual vehicle for reaching spiritual depths.

term to know

Synesthesia

The experience of one sense as another, for example visually experiencing sound.