Self-Portrait in the Studio 1923

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner created this charcoal drawing, "Self-Portrait in the Studio", in Germany, likely sometime in the 1910s. Kirchner was a leading figure in the German Expressionist group Die Brücke, or ‘The Bridge’, whose members sought to challenge academic painting traditions. The drawing shows Kirchner in his studio, alongside a model who is resting. In the background, we see other artworks. This reflects the self-conscious, intellectual atmosphere of the studio. The visible charcoal lines and distorted features of the figures point to Expressionism's desire to convey emotion and psychological states over realistic representation. This was a modern approach to artmaking, breaking away from the conservative academic styles that were taught in institutions at the time. To fully understand the art of this period, we need to look at exhibition catalogues, artists’ manifestos, and other documents that tell us about the network of artists, dealers, and critics who created this world. Expressionism was more than an artistic style; it was a social movement, a cultural phenomenon, and a challenge to the established order.