Adda Deichmann Reclining in a Chair (verso) c. 1912

Heinrich Campendonk made this drawing, Adda Deichmann Reclining in a Chair, using graphite, and watercolor. The subject looks forward, but her world is angular and fragmented. Made in Germany, the drawing evokes the cultural climate of the early 20th century. The fractured planes and bold colors reflect the influence of Expressionism, a movement that questioned traditional artistic representation. Expressionism was a cultural response to the anxieties of a rapidly changing society and sought to challenge academic art institutions. To understand this work fully, it is important to consult contemporary periodicals, exhibition catalogs, and artists' letters. By studying the visual culture and institutional context of the time, we can better understand how Campendonk sought to challenge existing artistic norms and engage with the social and political issues of his day. This approach emphasizes the role of the historian in interpreting art as a product of its time, shaped by social forces and institutional structures.