Frau und zwei Buben im Segelboot 1913

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner created this woodcut, "Woman and Two Boys in a Sailboat," sometime in the first decades of the 20th century. It shows a woman with two children on what appears to be a boat. The image operates through the visual language of German Expressionism. Kirchner was associated with a group called Die Brücke, or "The Bridge", that aimed to connect art to modern life. The rough, angular forms and stark contrasts in this woodcut reflect the anxieties of a rapidly changing society in Germany. The Expressionists rejected the prevailing academic styles and instead drew inspiration from folk art and non-European traditions. As historians, we can look into the role of Expressionism in challenging the conservative artistic establishment. We might also consider the way the print medium allowed Kirchner to disseminate his work widely and cheaply. Analyzing the social and institutional context of the image helps us better understand its intended meanings and effects.