Lying cat c. 1920

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this drawing of a Lying Cat with brush and ink, but we don't know exactly when. Kirchner was associated with the German Expressionist group Die Brücke. This group sought to challenge academic artistic conventions. Expressionists were interested in conveying emotions through simplified forms and bold colours. This drawing is monochrome, but the stark contrast between the black ink and white paper creates drama. It is quickly executed, but conveys the languid ease of a domestic cat. Kirchner had a troubled life, suffering from mental health problems, and his art was declared degenerate by the Nazis. His work offers a glimpse into the complex social and political context of early 20th-century Germany. Art historians use archival research and critical analysis to interpret the significance of artworks like this one. Its meaning is contingent on its historical and institutional context.