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Expressionism

Modernist Art Movement

1900 to 1930     Global

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Expressionism in paintings, predominantly emerging from early 20th century Germany, served as a visual manifestation of societal anxieties during a time of rapid urbanization and cultural upheaval. As cities expanded and the world underwent unprecedented changes, artists sought to break from traditional norms. Instead of capturing objective reality, Expressionists delved deeply into the human psyche, aiming to evoke raw emotions and internal conflicts through their artwork.

The hallmarks of this movement were its bold, often jarring color choices and deliberate distortions of form. Colors were not used to replicate the world accurately but to convey specific moods or emotions. Forms, especially the human figure, were exaggerated or twisted to emphasize emotional intensity or inner turmoil. The very brushwork in these paintings was dynamic, with rough and visible strokes, adding to the sense of immediacy and energy.

Prominent figures like Edvard Munch's "The Scream" or Egon Schiele's intimate portraits exemplify the movement's essence. These artworks, laden with emotion and introspection, encapsulated the collective feeling of unease and introspection of their era. As a movement, Expressionism forever underscored the power of art not just to depict the world, but to interpret and convey its deeper emotional currents.

  • Portrait 29 Self-Portrait 15 Daily Life 10 Urban Life 4 Landscape 4 Rural Life 4 Nude 4 Dreams and Nightmares 3 Bathers 3 Love 3 Social Commentary 2 Solitude & Introspection 2 Sensuality 2 Inner Demons 2 Biblical 2 Nature 2 Figurative Study 2 Movement 1 Double Portrait 1 Strangeness 1
  • Expressionism 86 Post-Impressionism 17 Modernism 14 German Expressionism 14 Die Brücke 10 Gothenburg Colorism 10 Figurative Expressionism 8 Symbolism 8 Colorism 6 November Group 4 Vienna Secession 3 Primitivism 2 Sketch 2 Sjukdomskonst 2 Fauvism 2 New Objectivity 2 German avant-garde 1 American Impressionism 1 Realism 1 American Realism 1
The Starry Night Zwei weibliche Akte Maastik punase pilvega Ensor aux masques Four trees Visit hos excentrisk dam Portrait of August Strindberg Self-Portrait Man Rött Ansikte A rich peasant La danse (second version) Temptation Skrik Ungdom Three Women in a Wood Ivan Ivarsson och Modellstudie Varietétänzerin Flickan som Provar Hatt Storm Marzella Näcken Liebespaar Cypres bij sterrennacht Selbstbildnis als Halbnackt Großes Liebespaar (Ehepaar Hembus) Männlicher Akt Girl at the Bedside Am Donaukanal Amor og Psyke Brobygget Fünf Badende am See Mansporträtt med Kaffekopp och Pipa Nude Bonden i Bretagne Dödens husarer Självporträtt med Glasögon Self-Portrait Abbott Handerson Thayer Self-Portrait Self-Portrait with Horn