Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Style: Expressionism; High Renaissance; Symbolism; Cubism;

Place: Aschaffenburg

Born: 1880

Death: 1938

Biography:

Early Life and Education

, a renowned German expressionist painter and printmaker, was born on May 6, 1880, in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria. His family's Prussian descent and his mother's Huguenot heritage played a significant role in shaping his artistic identity. Kirchner's early life involved frequent relocations, with his father searching for employment opportunities. This led to Kirchner attending schools in Frankfurt and Perlen until his father secured a position at the College of Technology in Chemnitz.

Artistic Formation and Die Brücke

Kirchner began studying architecture at the Königliche Technische Hochschule (Royal Technical University) in Dresden in 1901. It was during this period that he befriended Fritz Bleyl, with whom he shared a radical outlook on art and nature. In 1905, Kirchner co-founded the artists group Die Brücke (The Bridge), alongside Bleyl, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, and Erich Heckel. This collective aimed to bridge the gap between traditional academic styles and modern expression.

Artistic Style and Notable Works

Kirchner's artistic style was characterized by bold colors and expressive brushstrokes, as seen in his painting The Street, housed at the Brücke-Museum Berlin. His work often featured the female nude in natural settings, such as in Leaping Dancer, Gret Palucca, which showcases his fascination with expressive movements.

Later Life and Legacy

Kirchner's life was marked by turmoil, including a mental breakdown during World War I and the subsequent destruction of over 600 of his works, branded as "degenerate" by the Nazis. He committed suicide in 1938. Despite this tragic end, Kirchner's legacy endures, with his work continuing to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike.

• View Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's artwork on Wikioo.org: [https://Wikioo.org/@/Ernst-Ludwig-Kirchner](https://Wikioo.org/@/Ernst-Ludwig-Kirchner)
• Explore the Brücke-Museum Berlin and its collection: [https://Wikioo.org/@@/A@D3CK5H-The-Brucke-Museum-Berlin-Germany](https://Wikioo.org/@@/A@D3CK5H-The-Brucke-Museum-Berlin-Germany)
• Discover more about German Expressionism on Wikipedia: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Ludwig_Kirchner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Ludwig_Kirchner)

* May 6, 1880: Born in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria * 1905: Co-founded Die Brücke (The Bridge) * June 15, 1938: Passed away