Origins of Expressionism Painting:
Origins of Expressionism Painting
Expressionism, one of the most crucial art movements, originated in Northern Europe in the early 20th century as a modernist movement. The movement initially started in poetry and painting. The Expressionist art movement is characterised by bold colours, distorted forms, and exaggerated lines that showcase emotional effects to evoke moods or ideas. Expressionist artists sought to convey emotional experiences rather than physical reality. The term "Expressionist" in its modern sense was first used in the 1850s. However, its origin can be traced to paintings labelled "Expressionismes" by the obscure artist Julien-Auguste Hervé during a Paris exhibition in 1901.
Expressionism emerged as an avant-garde movement before World War l and flourished during the Weimar Republic, especially in Berlin. This artistic style extended to various disciplines, encompassing architecture, painting, literature, theatre, dance, cinema, and music. Moreover, Paris attracted a group of Expressionist artists, many of whom were Jewish, who were collectively dubbed the School of Paris. And, after World War ll, figurative Expressionism influenced artists and styles around the world.
The roots of the German Expressionist school can be traced to the works of late 19th-century artists like Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and James Ensor. These artists evolved a highly personal painting style, and their art emphasised personal feelings and psychological states, breaking away from traditional representations of nature. Some of the Expressionism art examples include Edvard Munch's "The Scream" and Wassily Kandinsky's "Composition VII". Also, the second and principal wave of expression began in 1905 when a group of artists, including Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, formed "Die Brücke" (The Bridge) in Dresden. This seminal group had a significant impact on the evolution of modern art in the 20th century and the development of Expressionism.
Despite its decline in Germany during the 1930s due to political repression and the rise of Hitler, Expressionism's impact persisted. It laid the groundwork for later movements, such as Abstract Expressionism, and continues to influence contemporary art.
