Expressionism
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| '''Expressionism''' is the tendency of an artist to distort reality for an [[emotion]]al effect; it is a subjective art form. Expressionism is exhibited in many [[art]] forms, including [[painting]], [[literature]], [[theatre]], [[film]], [[Expressionist architecture|architecture]] and [[music]]. Additionally, the term often implies emotional [[angst]] – the number of cheerful expressionist works is relatively small. | '''Expressionism''' is the tendency of an artist to distort reality for an [[emotion]]al effect; it is a subjective art form. Expressionism is exhibited in many [[art]] forms, including [[painting]], [[literature]], [[theatre]], [[film]], [[Expressionist architecture|architecture]] and [[music]]. Additionally, the term often implies emotional [[angst]] – the number of cheerful expressionist works is relatively small. | ||
| - | In this general sense, painters such as [[Matthias Grünewald]] and [[El Greco]] can be called expressionist, though in practice, the term is applied mainly to 20th century works. {{GFDL}} | + | In this general sense, painters such as [[Matthias Grünewald]] and [[El Greco]] can be called expressionist, though in practice, the term is applied mainly to 20th century works. |
| + | == Expressionist groups in painting == | ||
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| + | There was never a group of artists that called themselves "Expressionists". The movement is primarily German and Austrian, though following World War II it began to influence young American artists. [[Norris Embry]] (1921-1981) studied with [[Oskar Kokoschka]] in 1947 and over the next 43 years produced a large body of work grounded in the Expressionist tradition. Norris Embry has been called "the first American German Expressionist". Other American artists of the late 20th and early 21st century have developed distinct movements that are generally considered part of Expressionism. Another prominent artist who came from the German Expressionist "school" was Bremen born [[Wolfgang Degenhardt]]. After working as a commercial artist in Bremen he migrated to Australia in 1954 and became quite prominent and sought after in the Hunter Valley region. His paintings captured the spirit of Australian and world issues but presented them in a way which was true to his German Expressionist roots. | ||
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| + | There were a number of Expressionist groups in painting, including the [[Blaue Reiter]] and [[Die Brücke]]. Later in the 20th century, the movement influenced a large number of other artists, including the [[abstract expressionist]]s, the latter consisting primarily of American artists such as [[Jackson Pollock]]. The [[neo-expressionists]] were a revival movement in Germany beginning in the 1970s and centered around artists [[Anselm Kiefer]] and [[Georg Baselitz]]. | ||
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| + | The [[Der Blaue Reiter]] group was based in Munich and [[Die Brücke]] was based originally in [[Dresden]] (although some later moved to [[Berlin]]). Die Brücke was active for a longer period than Der Blaue Reiter which was only truly together for a year (1912). The Expressionists had many influences, among them [[Edvard Munch|Munch]], [[Vincent van Gogh]], and [[African art]]. They also came to know the work being done by the [[Fauvism|Fauves]] in Paris. | ||
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| + | Influenced by the Fauves, Expressionism worked with arbitrary colors as well as jarring compositions. In reaction and opposition to French Impressionism which focused on rendering the sheer visual appearance of objects, Expressionist artists sought to capture emotions and subjective interpretations: It was not important to reproduce an aesthetically pleasing impression of the artistic subject matter; the Expressonists focused on capturing vivid emotional reactions through powerful colors and dynamic compositions instead. | ||
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| + | The leader of [[Der Blaue Reiter]], [[Kandinsky]], would take this a step further. He believed that with simple colors and shapes the spectator could perceive the moods and feelings in the paintings, therefore he made the important jump to abstraction, changing 20th century art. | ||
| + | {{GFDL}} | ||
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Expressionism is the tendency of an artist to distort reality for an emotional effect; it is a subjective art form. Expressionism is exhibited in many art forms, including painting, literature, theatre, film, architecture and music. Additionally, the term often implies emotional angst – the number of cheerful expressionist works is relatively small.
In this general sense, painters such as Matthias Grünewald and El Greco can be called expressionist, though in practice, the term is applied mainly to 20th century works.
Expressionist groups in painting
There was never a group of artists that called themselves "Expressionists". The movement is primarily German and Austrian, though following World War II it began to influence young American artists. Norris Embry (1921-1981) studied with Oskar Kokoschka in 1947 and over the next 43 years produced a large body of work grounded in the Expressionist tradition. Norris Embry has been called "the first American German Expressionist". Other American artists of the late 20th and early 21st century have developed distinct movements that are generally considered part of Expressionism. Another prominent artist who came from the German Expressionist "school" was Bremen born Wolfgang Degenhardt. After working as a commercial artist in Bremen he migrated to Australia in 1954 and became quite prominent and sought after in the Hunter Valley region. His paintings captured the spirit of Australian and world issues but presented them in a way which was true to his German Expressionist roots.
There were a number of Expressionist groups in painting, including the Blaue Reiter and Die Brücke. Later in the 20th century, the movement influenced a large number of other artists, including the abstract expressionists, the latter consisting primarily of American artists such as Jackson Pollock. The neo-expressionists were a revival movement in Germany beginning in the 1970s and centered around artists Anselm Kiefer and Georg Baselitz.
The Der Blaue Reiter group was based in Munich and Die Brücke was based originally in Dresden (although some later moved to Berlin). Die Brücke was active for a longer period than Der Blaue Reiter which was only truly together for a year (1912). The Expressionists had many influences, among them Munch, Vincent van Gogh, and African art. They also came to know the work being done by the Fauves in Paris.
Influenced by the Fauves, Expressionism worked with arbitrary colors as well as jarring compositions. In reaction and opposition to French Impressionism which focused on rendering the sheer visual appearance of objects, Expressionist artists sought to capture emotions and subjective interpretations: It was not important to reproduce an aesthetically pleasing impression of the artistic subject matter; the Expressonists focused on capturing vivid emotional reactions through powerful colors and dynamic compositions instead.
The leader of Der Blaue Reiter, Kandinsky, would take this a step further. He believed that with simple colors and shapes the spectator could perceive the moods and feelings in the paintings, therefore he made the important jump to abstraction, changing 20th century art.
