expresionism

Expressionism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Germany around 1905-1930. It is characterized by a focus on representing emotional experience rather than physical reality. Artists associated with expressionism sought to depict subjective feelings, moods, and psychological states through bold colors, distorted forms, and exaggerated lines. The movement aimed to evoke emotional responses in viewers and often conveyed themes of angst, alienation, and social critique.

Expressionism developed across various disciplines, including painting, literature, theater, architecture, and film. In visual arts, notable figures include Edvard Munch, whose painting "The Scream" exemplifies the movement's intense emotional style, and Wassily Kandinsky, who combined vivid colors with abstract forms. In Germany, groups like Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) played prominent roles in promoting expressionist ideas, emphasizing spiritual and symbolic content.

The movement was influenced by earlier trends such as Symbolism and Fauvism and was partly a reaction against the naturalistic and impressionist styles that preceded it. Expressionism often challenged traditional aesthetics, emphasizing inner feelings over realistic representations. It also reflected societal upheavals of the time, including war, urbanization, and economic instability, which contributed to the movement's focus on psychological depth and social consciousness.

Although expressionism declined by the 1930s, its influence persisted in modern art, shaping abstract expressionism and other later styles. The movement remains significant for its emphasis on emotional intensity and its role in expanding the expressive possibilities of art.