Expressionism: Artistic Movements and Its Various Forms
Art movements have always been the most dynamic and ever-changing forms of expressing human emotions and ideas. One of the most stunning and painful artistic movements of all time is Expressionism.
It was a vast movement and a short-lived one, particularly during the early 20th century. Its artists sought to make their work emotionally powerful by expressing subjective feelings rather than objective reality.
In this article, we will glance at the origins, characteristics, and cultural impact of Expressionism and its various forms in different countries.
Definition of Expressionism
Expressionism is considered a modernist movement in the world of art that originated in Germany around 1905. The term “Expressionism” was first used by the art historian Wilhelm Worringer in his book “Abstraction and Empathy” in 1908.
He defined Expressionism as “the attempt to create a bridge between the external world of the sense and the internal world of the metaphysical.” Expressionists sought to depict their feelings and emotions through bold and distorted forms, colors, lines, and shapes. This movement was a rebellion against the traditional and realistic techniques of art that dominated the art world for centuries.
Origins and Characteristics of Expressionism
The Expressionist movement originated in Germany in the early 20th century, between 1905 and 1930. The movement was primarily a reaction to the cultural, economic, and political changes taking place.
Expressionist artists sought to create works that expressed their innermost emotions, feelings, and personal interpretations of life. Thriving on the chaos and turmoil brought on by the modern world, Expressionism is typically characterized by its dark, bold, and overwhelming imagery, using distorted lines and colors to convey a feeling of anxiety and upheaval.
Expressionist artist’s primary objective was to break away from the traditional arts and to bring their emotions to the forefront. They desired to present their work that spoke to their time, to give voice to contemporary issues like the rise of industrialization and the looming threat of war.
Expressionist painting is often intense, featuring sharp and brutal brushstrokes that convey passionate, raw emotion.
Expressionism in Different Countries
Although Expressionism originated in Germany, the movement quickly spread to other countries, including France and Austria. In France, Fauvism and Les Nabis art movements shared some characteristics with Expressionism.
Les Fauves means “wild beasts” in French, and the artists who participated in this movement used bright colors that were not realistic to express their emotion. Meanwhile, Les Nabis comprised a group of young artists in France seeking to break away from the traditional Impressionist art movement’s techniques.
Austria was also significant to the Expressionist movement, with its artists exploring the human psyche and expressing conflicting emotions through their artwork.
Egon Schiele, whose work reflects the influence of the Vienna Secession art movement’s graphic style, is one of the best-known Austrian Expressionists.
Influence of Social and Cultural Factors on Expressionism
Expressionism was a reactionary movement that came at a time when Europe was faced with social and cultural upheavals. The most significant influences were World War I, the rise of industrialization, and the increasing influence of mass media.
The harrowing experiences of soldiers during World War I influenced the Expressionist’s way of creating artworks. The carnage, death, and destruction of war made a deep impression on many artists, and Expressionism gave them a way to express their trauma.
The increasing influence of new technology and mass production led to a corresponding desire to create more organic, primal forms of expression than ever before. Expressionist artists sought to create works that were deeply personal and emotional, using bold lines, vivid colors, and distorted forms to convey their subjectivity.
Conclusion
Expressionism was a highly influential movement that helped change the face of modern art and paved the way for subsequent artistic movements such as Abstract Expressionism and Neo-Expressionism. This article has provided an overview of the origins, characteristics, and cultural impact of Expressionism, as well as how it traveled beyond Germany to other countries and the social and cultural factors that influenced it.
Overall, Expressionism remains one of the most significant movements in the history of art, not only for its intense visuals but also for the powerful emotions and ideas it expresses. It is a testament to the ability of art to convey complex ideas and emotions that cannot be put into words effectively.
Famous Expressionist Artists and Their Contributions
Expressionism was a short-lived but significant movement consisting of a group of artists who sought to create works that expressed their emotions and innermost feelings. Many of these artists have now become household names and have left behind an enduring legacy of powerful and emotionally charged art.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is widely regarded as one of the most famous and influential artists in the history of art. Van Gogh’s work is characterized by bold colors and a unique style of brushwork.
He is known for his use of vivid and contrasting colors, particularly in his paintings of still life and landscapes. Van Gogh’s artworks express his personal tribulations, isolation, and psychological turmoil.
He suffered from bouts of depression and mental illness throughout his life, which is evident in some of his most famous works such as “The Starry Night,” “Sunflowers,” and “The Potato Eaters.” Van Gogh’s masterful application of color and the loose, expressive brushwork he developed continued to influence artists for generations to come.
Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch was a Norwegian Symbolist painter known for his haunting depictions of the psyche. Munch’s artistic works focused on themes of anxiety, death, love, and human relationships.
His most famous artwork, “The Scream,” is widely acknowledged as a visual paradigm for Expressionism. Munch’s work sought to expose the emotional struggles of humanity, specifically the human anxiety caused by advancements in science and technology and the consequent distancing from traditional ways of life.
His unique style of painting, which was an amalgamation of symbolism, expressionism, and conceptual art, made him an integral part of the Expressionist movement.
Wassily Kandinsky
Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter who is widely believed to be one of the pioneers of abstractionist art. Kandinsky’s artistic style was characterized by his wit for color, form, and musical element; he believed that color and form were capable of expressing the complexity and profundity of human emotion.
Kandinsky is considered the founder of abstract art, which explores non-representational forms. Kandinsky founded the Blue Rider Movement, which aimed to free the visual language of art from realistic constraints and convey a spiritual dimension.
The movement embraced various artistic disciplines, including music, literature, and theater, and served as a vital influence on the Expressionist movement.
Emil Nolde
Emil Nolde was a German-Danish painter who contributed significantly to the Expressionist movement in Germany. Nolde’s artistic works were characterized by his prominent use of dramatic colors, textures, and emotionally charged brushwork.
He used bold strokes of primary and complementary colors to depict landscapes, portraits, and various scenes from everyday life. Nolde’s artwork incorporated spiritual and religious ideas and his connection to humanity and the natural world.
Nolde’s use of colors and his uncanny ability to capture mood and emotion revolutionized the art world of his time and remains influential to this day.
Paul Klee
Paul Klee was a Swiss-German artist who incorporated several aspects of Expressionism, Surrealism, and Cubism in his artworks. Klee’s works were complex, dynamic, and often involved the use of geometric shapes and vibrant colors.
His art explored philosophical concepts such as the role of the artist, individualism, and society’s impact on the human psyche. Klee’s unique artistic style and his innovative use of line and color were integral to the Expressionist movement.
He was considered a master of composition, with his unique visual language and approach to artistic philosophy influencing generations of artists around the world.
Franz Marc
Franz Marc was a German Expressionist painter who is primarily known for his vivid, emotionally charged paintings of animals. Marc’s artworks were characterized by bright colors and his use of cubist style to convey his love for animals.
Marc believed that animals had a spiritual connection with the natural world and that they held the key to understanding the interconnectedness of the universe. His art reflected his rejection of the oppressive political and social structures of his time.
He used animal depictions to symbolize a utopian vision of a better world and a call for unity and brotherhood.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was a German Expressionist painter who is noted for his portrayal of urban life and society’s moral decay. Kirchner considered the city to be a significant source of psychological tension and alienation and sought to expose this in his portraiture as well as his cityscape depictions.
Kirchner’s unique style was characterized by the use of bold, distorted lines and the application of vibrant colors. He intended to create an uneasy, tense atmosphere that conveyed the turmoil and chaos of modern life.
Erich Heckel
Erich Heckel was a German artist who was an active member of Die Brcke, a German Expressionist movement. Heckel’s work often featured psychologically charged themes, exploring the subconscious and primitive human nature.
His artwork was characterized by rawness, spontaneity, and a rough-textured quality. Heckel’s work influenced other Expressionist artists in Germany and emphasized the significance of constructing works that convey an artist’s subjective experience of reality.
Egon Schiele
Egon Schiele was an Austrian Expressionist painter whose work was characterized by a unique style of elongated, expressive figures. Schiele’s work explored themes of sexuality, death, and human relationships.
He used a distinct, angular style to give his figures an emotional intensity and rawness. Schiele’s work challenged notions of accepted beauty and explored darker aspects of the human experience.
His innovative form and composition left a significant footprint on Expressionism and exerted a profound influence on modern art.
Chaim Soutine
Chaim Soutine was a Russian-French Expressionist painter known for his raw, emotional portraits of people and animals. Soutine’s art often utilized thick, textured brushstrokes that lend his paintings an intense, raw quality.
Soutine’s work challenged accepted representational forms, instead focusing on expression rather than realistic depiction. The ingenuity of his art and the vivid emotional impact of his paintings left a deep influence on the Expressionists.
Impact and Legacy of Expressionism
Expressionism was a highly influential art movement that had a profound influence on subsequent generations of artists. The movement paved the way for other forms of modern art and left a lasting legacy that endures to this day.
Many Expressionist artists went on to explore other innovative styles, such as Abstract Expressionism and Neo-Expressionism. The Expressionist movement emphasized the emotional power of art and the importance of the artist’s subjective experience of reality.
It challenged the traditional forms of art, which enabled it to create a new space for further exploration and creativity. Expressionism succeeded in breaking away from traditions of realism exactly when the world was moving away from the industrial ancient way of life.
It brought to the spotlight the human subjectivity untouched by technological advancement and enlightened the world of art with new thought processes. Expressionism influenced all artists that came after it, reshaped the way society thought of and approached art, and opened the way for artistic revolution.
In conclusion, Expressionism was a significant art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, seeking to express subjective emotions and break away from traditional artistic techniques. This article explored the origins, characteristics, and cultural impact of Expressionism, as well as the contributions of prominent Expressionist artists such as
Vincent van Gogh,
Edvard Munch,
Wassily Kandinsky,
Emil Nolde,
Paul Klee,
Franz Marc,
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner,
Erich Heckel,
Egon Schiele, and
Chaim Soutine.
The movement’s influence extended beyond Germany, and its legacy paved the way for subsequent art movements like Abstract Expressionism and Neo-Expressionism. The enduring importance of Expressionism lies in its ability to convey raw emotions and challenge conventional artistic norms, highlighting the power of subjective experiences in art.