Dinertafel-Sanatorium 1916

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this print, 'Dinertafel-Sanatorium', using lithography. It depicts a scene within a sanatorium, a place where people went for long-term medical treatment, common in Germany during the early 20th century. Kirchner himself suffered from mental health issues, and the artwork reflects the social alienation and psychological unease that he experienced. The loose, sketch-like quality and stark contrast of black ink on the white ground contribute to the unsettling atmosphere. The figures are angular and somewhat distorted, a style typical of the German Expressionist movement which sought to convey emotion over realism. The sanatorium setting speaks to the social conditions of the time, where mental illness was often stigmatized and those suffering were isolated from mainstream society. To fully understand Kirchner's work, one might explore the history of Expressionism, the social history of mental health treatment, and Kirchner's personal biography, using resources such as letters, diaries, and institutional records. Art historical meaning is always contingent on its social context.