Expressionism 1905 - Onwards
Influences
Expressionists were heavily influenced by the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture. They incorporated the distorted, abstracted and stylised treatment of the human figure in order to express the feelings of anxiety and depression. Clear influences of the Expressionists were the impressionistic approach of colour and painting techniques and Fauvism's non-naturalistic and expressive use of colour. Munch was very much consider the 'pioneer' of expressionism as he influenced the expressionists with his bold treatment of melancholic subject matter and emotional use of colour. Many artists were inspired in the later 1910's by the suffering of WWI, the devastating consequences of the Great Depression and the increasing rate of unemployment and poverty.
Aim
The aim of the expressionists was to express their own feelings, imaginings, visions and emotional state of mind and the age they lived in. Distorted realities was painted through exaggeration, vigorous and visible brushwork and strong colour and artists during this time only painted "The things one knows and experiences more than the thing one sees".
Characteristics
Expressionists used paintings as a relieving of pent up feelings, creating artworks in a highly personal, psychological and expressive manner. Many artists participated or experienced war resulting in depression; this is reflected through the intense subject matter. They also dwelled on the dark sinister aspect of human psychology. Intense emotion is portrayed through bold impulsive brushwork and often rich colours are applied in a violent and expressive manner.
Edvard Munch- Produced boldly treated paintings. The subject matter reflected melancholic nature through the swirling lines, contorted shape and clashing contrast in colours.
Kathe Kollwitz - Predominantly a print-maker and her imagery usually focused on poverty.
Max Beckmann - He depicted distortion in his composition which was inspired by his service in war.
Ernst Ludwig Kircher - Motivated distortion by the angst emotion in Germany and apply colour in a flat manner.
Expressionists were heavily influenced by the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture. They incorporated the distorted, abstracted and stylised treatment of the human figure in order to express the feelings of anxiety and depression. Clear influences of the Expressionists were the impressionistic approach of colour and painting techniques and Fauvism's non-naturalistic and expressive use of colour. Munch was very much consider the 'pioneer' of expressionism as he influenced the expressionists with his bold treatment of melancholic subject matter and emotional use of colour. Many artists were inspired in the later 1910's by the suffering of WWI, the devastating consequences of the Great Depression and the increasing rate of unemployment and poverty.
Aim
The aim of the expressionists was to express their own feelings, imaginings, visions and emotional state of mind and the age they lived in. Distorted realities was painted through exaggeration, vigorous and visible brushwork and strong colour and artists during this time only painted "The things one knows and experiences more than the thing one sees".
Characteristics
Expressionists used paintings as a relieving of pent up feelings, creating artworks in a highly personal, psychological and expressive manner. Many artists participated or experienced war resulting in depression; this is reflected through the intense subject matter. They also dwelled on the dark sinister aspect of human psychology. Intense emotion is portrayed through bold impulsive brushwork and often rich colours are applied in a violent and expressive manner.
Edvard Munch- Produced boldly treated paintings. The subject matter reflected melancholic nature through the swirling lines, contorted shape and clashing contrast in colours.
Kathe Kollwitz - Predominantly a print-maker and her imagery usually focused on poverty.
Max Beckmann - He depicted distortion in his composition which was inspired by his service in war.
Ernst Ludwig Kircher - Motivated distortion by the angst emotion in Germany and apply colour in a flat manner.
Sample Essay: The Scream by Edvard Munch (Subject Matter Analysis)
Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” 1893 is an oil on cardboard that depicts an emotional and psychologically intense moment through the penetrating use of colours to create a sense of chaos and anguish.
The long, wavy and distorted brushwork, applied on the warped body, is utilized to imply movement and suggest a detachment from reality through the vivid contrast between the figure and the solid bridge. Thick application of blacks are manipulated to create an impression of an inner darkness gradually enveloping the figure and through the hues of green and yellow, applied on the haunting face, Munch creates an implication of the deterioration of the figure’s mental state. The elongated and exposed mouth implies an impression of screaming and through the covering of his ears it is perceived as receiving protection and security, comfort from his own piercing and agonising scream.
Heavy and refined brushstrokes, applied on the bridge, is manipulated to create a stable form in the composition; a depiction of reality. The two figures positioned in the far left-hand corner are unaware of the disturbing, chaotic mental state of the figure; inferring that the he is silently screaming from deep within, ignored and neglected. The figure is juxtaposed with the vague and indistinct imagery of a couple, giving a sense of isolation and seclusion.
Long, fluid brushstrokes of thick orange hues, are smeared on the sky, contrasting the cool blue sea below, a confliction between anger and depression, an emotional agitation. The bold, curved brushstrokes in the sky and sea create movement, drawing the viewer into the spirals of confusion and nausea. The vivid blood red sky portrays the Munch’s frustration and anger, whilst the dark, eerie blue seas, depicts a profound emptiness of a poignant and depressive life.
The long, wavy and distorted brushwork, applied on the warped body, is utilized to imply movement and suggest a detachment from reality through the vivid contrast between the figure and the solid bridge. Thick application of blacks are manipulated to create an impression of an inner darkness gradually enveloping the figure and through the hues of green and yellow, applied on the haunting face, Munch creates an implication of the deterioration of the figure’s mental state. The elongated and exposed mouth implies an impression of screaming and through the covering of his ears it is perceived as receiving protection and security, comfort from his own piercing and agonising scream.
Heavy and refined brushstrokes, applied on the bridge, is manipulated to create a stable form in the composition; a depiction of reality. The two figures positioned in the far left-hand corner are unaware of the disturbing, chaotic mental state of the figure; inferring that the he is silently screaming from deep within, ignored and neglected. The figure is juxtaposed with the vague and indistinct imagery of a couple, giving a sense of isolation and seclusion.
Long, fluid brushstrokes of thick orange hues, are smeared on the sky, contrasting the cool blue sea below, a confliction between anger and depression, an emotional agitation. The bold, curved brushstrokes in the sky and sea create movement, drawing the viewer into the spirals of confusion and nausea. The vivid blood red sky portrays the Munch’s frustration and anger, whilst the dark, eerie blue seas, depicts a profound emptiness of a poignant and depressive life.