Expressionism

Expressionism is a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas. Expressionist artists sought to express the meaning of emotional experience rather than physical reality.

Origins and characteristics

Expressionism developed as an avant-garde style before the First World War. It remained popular during the Weimar Republic, particularly in Berlin. The style extended to a wide range of the arts, including expressionist architecture, painting, literature, theatre, dance, film and music.

The term is sometimes suggestive of angst. In a general sense, painters such as Matthias Grünewald and El Greco are sometimes termed expressionist, though the term is applied mainly to 20th century works.

Expressionism in art

In the visual arts, Expressionism is often considered to have emerged in Germany in the early 20th century, with its leading proponents being the artists Edvard Munch, Egon Schiele, and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Expressionist artists sought to depict the emotional and psychological states of their subjects, often through distorted and exaggerated depictions of form and color.

The Scream by Edvard Munch, 1893, which inspired 20th-century Expressionists

Expressionism in literature

In literature, the style is often associated with the works of Franz Kafka, whose novels and short stories, such as The Metamorphosis and The Trial, are characterized by their nightmarish scenarios and themes of alienation and existential dread.

Expressionism in film

Expressionism also had a significant impact on cinema, particularly in Germany during the Weimar Republic. Films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis are notable for their highly stylized sets and dramatic use of light and shadow, which sought to reflect the inner states of their characters.

See also

• Abstract expressionism
• Neo-expressionism
• American expressionism
• German expressionism