Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Though known as a painter, Kirchner originally studied architecture in Dresden. This background provided the foundation for the powerful structures and masterful spatial compositions seen in his artworks.¹

In 1905, Kirchner founded the avant-garde group 'Die Brücke' (The Bridge). They rejected traditional academic styles, aiming to create a bridge between the past and future through a new Expressionist mode.¹

Valuing German heritage, Kirchner revived the technique of woodcut prints. His prints, characterized by sharp lines and bold contrasts, significantly influenced the evolution of 20th-century modern art.¹

His studio, a former butcher shop, was a bohemian space defying social norms. By using non-professional models and 15-minute poses, he sought spontaneous, lively expressions of the human form.¹

In 1911, he co-founded the private art school 'MIUM' with Max Pechstein. Despite aiming to promote modern painting education, it failed to attract students and closed the following year.¹

After moving to Berlin in 1911, he created the 'Street Scenes' series. Using sharp brushwork to depict city dwellers, he established a unique style expressing the loneliness and anxiety of the modern metropolis.¹

Struggling with alcohol and drug addiction due to wartime trauma, he was forced into sanatorium life. Even in isolation, he continued to create, using art to examine his mental state.¹

Although he volunteered for WWI, he suffered a mental breakdown and was discharged. His anguish is reflected in masterpieces like 'Self-Portrait as a Soldier,' where he depicted himself with a severed right hand.¹

Moving to Davos, Switzerland in 1917, his style changed dramatically. Shifting from Berlin's urban themes, he began depicting majestic Alpine landscapes and rural life with serene, spiritual colors.¹

In 1933, the Nazi regime branded his work as 'degenerate.' By 1937, over 600 of his works were confiscated or destroyed, deeply wounding his pride and identity as an artist.¹