Expressionism described, explained in artist quotes - free resource, German art history

Expressionism, described and explained in quotes of the involved Expressionist artists in Germany, including art images - free resource for students, pupils, art-lovers and teachers in German art history

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These selected quotes of the Expressionist artists illustrate their options and goals concerning art in German Expressionism. Artists as Kirchner, Franz Marc, Heckel, Jawlensky, Nolde, Max Beckmann and Marian Werefkin expressed their views in writings and talks.
Expressionism was at first a mainly German art-affair. It was essentially the first modern art movement which broke definitely with the Impressionist painting-style.

The Expressionist artists wanted to create art in strong emotional expressions and flat color-fields. There existed at least two important expressionist artist-groups in Germany. One group searched for a figurative direction, in Dresden / Berlin: ‘Die Brücke’ - others developed a more abstract way of expression in their art, like in the artist-group in München: ‘Der Blaue Reiter’.
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Selected artist-quotes on German Expressionism - as a short introduction of its extended quotes in the PDF:

• ’The artist is the only one who detaches himself from life, opposes his personality against it, he is the only one who orders things as he wishes them to be in place of things as they are.’ - quote of Marianne Werefkin: in her ‘Lettres à un Inconnu’, 1901 - 1905; Vol 1 ‘My beautiful One, My Unique!’

• ’The struggle for existence is very difficult here (Die Brücke-artists just moved from Dresden to Berlin), but the possibilities are also greater. I hope that we can create a fruitful new school…’ - quote of Kirchner: in his letter from Switzerland, to Louise Schiefler, November 1911

• ’I have such a passion for painting! I am continually working at form. In actual drawing and in my head, and during my sleep. Sometimes I think I shall go mad, this painful, sensual pleasures tires and torments me so much.’ - quote of Max Beckmann: in a letter from the war to his first wife Minna, May 1915
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  selection of free art-resources on German Expressionism:

  • Expressionism in Germany described, on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expressionism
  • expressionist artists describe in quotes German Expressionism, on Wikiquote: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Expressionism
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    editor: Fons Heijnsbroek / Matrozenhof (FotoDutch on Wikiquote):<br>[http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/User:FotoDutch]