A Group of Artists by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1926–1927
German expressionism is an early-20th century art movement that emphasizes the artist's inner feelings or ideas over replicating reality and is characterized by simplified shapes, bright colors, and gestural marks or brushstrokes.
In a program that covers paintings, drawings, etchings, woodblock prints, and sculpture, art historian Joseph Cassar introduces and explores German expressionism as a movement. He discusses forerunners of expressionism such as Gruenwald’s Crucifixion (1513) and Goya’s The Third of May (1814) and provides a special focus on Die Brücke (The Bridge), an organization of German painters and printmakers that from 1905 to 1913 played a pivotal role in the movement’s development. He also examines the Degenerate Art exhibition, seen in Munich in 1937 and Berlin and Hamburg in 1938, with an emphasis on artists such as Kirchner, Nolde, Otto Mueller, Schmidt-Rottluff, Grosz, Otto Dix, Beckman, and others.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
General Information
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
