Nude with a Mirror, Standing Before a Washstand 1908 - 1910

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this ink drawing, "Nude with a Mirror, Standing Before a Washstand," sometime in the early twentieth century. Kirchner was associated with the German Expressionist group Die Brücke, or "The Bridge," and was interested in how the formal qualities of art could express emotions. This drawing, with its jagged lines and distorted figures, reflects the anxiety and unease of pre-World War I Germany. Kirchner and his fellow expressionists were also influenced by so-called "primitive" art from Africa and Oceania. These artists saw in these works a raw, uninhibited energy that they felt was lacking in Western art. By appropriating these styles, they were challenging the traditional art establishment and its values. To better understand this drawing, a historian might consult the writings of other Expressionist artists, delve into the social and political context of early 20th century Germany, and explore the history of ethnographic museums and their impact on the Western art world. Ultimately, this artwork can be understood as a product of its time, reflecting the complex social and cultural forces at play in early 20th century Germany.