Expressionism
Expressionism was a modern movement at the start of the twentieth century, primarily used in Germany and Austria. It emerged in multiple cities in Germany to tackle a growing anxiety of man’s increasing discordance with the world and man’s lost feelings of authenticity and spirituality (Wolf). Expressionism tried to express feeling and emotion directly through distorting forms, as well as using violent subject matter and harsh colours, and keeping the overall design out of balance (Farlex). The movement was inspired by late nineteenth century artists including Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch and James Ensor, as they encouraged the distortion of forms and the use of strong colours to convey a variety of anxieties and yearnings (Wolf).
Sources differ on the exact dates the movement lasted until, but it started around 1905 and ended somewhere between 1925 and 1993. Unlike ‘Impressionism’, its goals were to strongly impose the artist’s own sensibility to the world’s representation, rather than to reproduce the impression suggested by the surrounding world (Art Movements). The concept of Expressionism was very elastic and was not limited only to artists, but to any creative from poets and dramatists to other writers (Guggenheim). Below are examples of paintings from a couple of many, many pioneers of Expressionism; Edvard Munch and Vincent van Gogh.
(Munch, 1893)
(Gogh, 1889)
Reference list:
Art Movements. (n.d.). Expressionism. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from Art Movements: http://www.artmovements.co.uk/expressionism.htm
Farlex. (n.d.). Expressionism. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from The Free Dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/expressionism
Gogh, V. v. Starry Night.
Guggenheim. (n.d.). Expressionism. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from Guggenheim: http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online/show-full/movement/?search=Expressionism
Munch, E. The Scream (or The Cry).
Wolf, J. (n.d.). Expressionism. Retrieved June 2, 2012, from The Art Story: http://www.theartstory.org/movement-expressionism.htm
I have read a book about whole life of Vincent Van Gogh; he was a very interesting personality and a talented painter. Would recommend for anyone to read about him.
I love this style of art. Not only its Unique appearance but the detail and meaning behind each work. The prominent brush strokes found with Gogh’s artwork ‘Starry Night’ really appeals to me.
I love Van Gogh. Starry Night in particular.