Introduction to Expressionism Artworks
Art is one of the most profound mediums of expression. It allows artists to express their innermost thoughts and emotions, conveying them through a visual language that speaks to the viewer.
In this context, Expressionism art is a movement that has taken on a unique identity. Expressionist paintings are characterized by sweeping brush strokes, vibrant color bursts, and abstracted forms.
This has drawn a lot of attention over the years, making Expressionist paintings some of the most sought-after artworks around. In this article, we will explore the world of Expressionism art and the characteristics that define it.
We will also examine the shifts in creative techniques and vision that Expressionism art has taken over the years. Additionally, we will look at the term “Expressionism” and its origins, as well as the differences between Impressionism and Expressionism.
Characteristics of Expressionist Paintings
Expressionism emerged as a response to societal developments and was rooted in artists’ psychological and emotional interpretation. As such, Expressionist paintings capture the inner reality of a subject or setting, instead of an external or objective one.
Expressionist artists use sweeping brush strokes that are often applied in a layered fashion, which leaves the marks of the artist’s hand visible. The brushwork in Expressionist paintings is less precise than what is found in traditional paintings, giving it a unique texture.
The use of vibrant color bursts is also a common feature in Expressionism art. Expressionist artists use color to evoke emotions and convey their inner feelings and the energy of the subject they are painting.
Unlike traditional art where colors are used based on how we see the world, Expressionist art uses a more subjective approach. Abstracted forms are the final feature of Expressionist paintings.
They are a result of the desire to express the inner reality of an object, subject, or setting, rather than a literal interpretation. Expressionist art aims to move beyond the objective world, where the artist transforms the subject into an emotional, psychological, and spiritual experience.
Shifts in Creative Techniques and Vision
The earliest Expressionist paintings were figurative and showed the subjective experience of the artist. However, over time, Expressionism became more abstract, and artists began to focus on the representation of emotions and sensations.
Symbolism is another feature that developed in Expressionism art as artists were seeking new ways to convey emotions and experience. Under symbolism, objects represented different ideas, and the use of colors was even more subjective, often meaning more than their traditional interpretation.
Expressionist art also took on a new direction as artists began to explore darker subjects. World War I had a profound effect on Expressionism art, with artists exploring the effects of war and violence on mental states.
This led to the birth of the Expressionist horror genre, where artists painted violence and harsh topics to represent the social and political changes in society. The Origin of the Term “Expressionism”
The term “Expressionism” was coined by Antonin Matejcek, who saw the movement as a complete reverse of Impressionism.
Expressionist art was not concerned with the external world but with a representation of the artist’s inner feelings and emotions. The term “Expressionism” summed up the movement’s goal of expressing the inner truth of an object, subject, or setting.
In this sentiment, Expressionism has roots in Romanticism and Symbolism, which had similar themes of emotional and psychological expression. Impressionism vs.
Expressionism
Impressionism and Expressionism are two different approaches to art that contrast each other. Impressionism sought to capture the visual impression of a subject, basing their color usage and brushwork on how they saw the world.
Expressionist painting, on the other hand, sought to capture the feeling and emotions of an object, subject, or setting, going beyond the visual representation. Expressionist paintings were less focused on the external world, instead, emphasizing the inner reality of the subject.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the Expressionism art movement, looking at its characteristics and shifts in creative techniques. We have also looked at the origin of the term “Expressionism” and its difference from Impressionism.
Expressionist art is a unique movement that emphasizes the artist’s emotional and psychological experience, making it a captivating and thought-provoking form of art.
Famous Expressionism Paintings
Expressionism is a movement that has produced some of the most profound and intense artworks in the history of art. The paintings of Expressionist artists went beyond the visual representation of objects, subjects, and settings, capturing the emotions, thoughts, and psychological states of the subjects.
The artists of the Expressionist movement used various techniques and styles to achieve their goal of expressing inner truth through art. In this article, we will explore in detail some of the most famous Expressionism paintings, examining the primary keywords associated with them.
1. The Scream by Edvard Munch
The Scream is one of the most famous Expressionism paintings and a cultural icon of modern art.
Created by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch in 1893, The Scream represents a personal encounter of intense emotion and an unstable state of mind. The figure, whose eyes and mouth are wide open in a scream, represents an expression of anxiety and the fear of modern life.
Munch used swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colors to convey his psychological state, expressing the inner truth of the subject, rather than an external one. The Scream is a visual representation of the artist’s fear of life, depicting the struggle of humankind in the modern world.
2. Hans Tietze and Erica Tietze-Conrat by Oskar Kokoschka
Hans Tietze and Erica Tietze-Conrat is a marital portrait by Austrian painter Oskar Kokoschka.
The painting depicts the husband and wife in a sitting position, with distinct attitudes of sizzling excitement and emotionalism. The painting was created in 1909 and is considered one of the artist’s most significant works.
The painting captures the emotions of the subjects, with the use of vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes. Kokoschka was known for his ability to capture the inner state of his subjects, representing the emotional and psychological experience through his art.
3. Large Blue Horses by Franz Marc
Large Blue Horses is a painting created by German artist Franz Marc in 1911.
The painting is a representation of the spiritual wildlife world, with the primary colors of blue and green symbolizing the tranquility and beauty of nature. Marc was a master of using color to convey emotions and the inner life of his subjects.
The painting captures the essence of the subjects, with the use of symbolic meanings and an abstracted form. The blue horses represent the spiritual connection between animals and nature, evoking a sense of reverence and awe.
4. Houses at Night by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Houses at Night is a painting by German Expressionist Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, created in 1912.
The painting is an isolation of modern society, depicting the distorted angles of cityscapes at night. The painting is influenced by the woodblock printing technique, which was a popular medium of Expressionist art.
The painting captures the essence of modern society, with dark and somber color tones, depicting the feeling of loneliness and isolation in the city. The distortion of angles represents the chaotic and fragmented nature of urban living.
5. Street, Berlin by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Street, Berlin is a painting created by German Expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1913.
The painting is a bustling city scene, with a distinct focus on women and their roles in modern society. The painting is known for its expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colors, representing the emotional state of the subjects.
The painting captures the essence of urban life, depicting the struggles of women in modern society and the emotional and psychological toll it takes on them. 6.
The Cyclist by Natalia Goncharova
The Cyclist is a painting created by Russian Expressionist Natalia Goncharova in 1913. The painting captures the dynamic movement of a cyclist, with a visual play on language.
The painting is known for its conceptual design, representing the essence of motion and the inner state of the subject. The painting captures the essence of motion, with vibrant colors and abstracted forms.
It is a representation of the Expressionist artists’ vision of the world, going beyond the objective world to capture the essence of the inner reality. 7.
Sitting Woman with Legs Drawn Up by Egon Schiele
Sitting Woman with Legs Drawn Up is a painting by Austrian artist Egon Schiele, created in 1917. The painting is an intimate portrayal of the subject, capturing the emotional and psychological state of the woman.
The use of colors is unique, showcasing Schiele’s ability to use a varied palette to represent the inner states of his subjects. The painting captures the essence of human emotions, depicting the vulnerability and fragility of the human experience through his art.
8. Portrait of a Man by Erich Heckel
Portrait of a Man is a woodcut by German Expressionist Erich Heckel, created in 1919.
The painting is a portrayal of exhaustion and societal fatigue, with the use of woodcut techniques to create texture and depth in the artwork. The painting captures the essence of modern society, depicting the struggles of the working-class people in Germany at the time.
The painting is a representation of the Expressionist artists’ vision of society, going beyond the objective representation of the world, to capture the inner reality of the subject. 9.
Mad Woman by Chaim Soutine
Mad Woman is a painting created by Russian artist Chaim Soutine in 1935. The painting is a representation of the emotional state of the subject, with distorted brushstrokes and emotionalism.
The painting is known for its depiction of unique characters, capturing the inner reality of the subject. The painting captures the essence of emotionalism, portraying the fragility of the human experience through his art.
10. Harold Rosenberg by Elaine de Kooning
Harold Rosenberg is a painting created by American artist Elaine de Kooning in 1953.
The painting is a representation of the art critic Harold Rosenberg, depicting the inner state of the subject through emotion and abstraction. The painting is known for its review of abstract art, representing the inner truth of art critics’ experience.
The painting captures the essence of abstraction and emotion, representing the Expressionist artists’ vision of art, going beyond the objective world to capture the inner reality of the subject.
Conclusion
Expressionism art is a movement that produced some of the most profound and intense artworks in the history of art. The paintings of Expressionist artists represented the inner truth of the subjects, capturing the emotions, thoughts, and psychological states of the subjects.
The artists of the Expressionist movement used various techniques and styles to achieve their goal of expressing the inner truth through art. The famous Expressionism paintings highlighted in this article represent the essence of Expressionism art, going beyond the objective world to capture the inner reality of the subject.
Expressionism art is a powerful movement that goes beyond the visual representation of the world to capture the inner reality of subjects. The famous Expressionism paintings mentioned in this article, such as “The Scream” by Edvard Munch and “Large Blue Horses” by Franz Marc, showcase the artists’ ability to convey intense emotions and psychological states through sweeping brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and abstracted forms.
These artworks highlight the importance of expressing inner truth and the subjective experience of the human condition. By delving into the world of Expressionism art, we gain a deeper understanding of the power of art to evoke emotions, challenge societal norms, and explore the depths of the human soul.
Through Expressionism, artists have created paintings that resonate with audiences even today, leaving a lasting impression and reminding us of the power of artistic expression.