Modern Bohemia 1924

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this painting, Modern Bohemia, with oil on canvas. You’ll immediately notice the expressive use of color, applied with loose brushstrokes, characteristic of the Expressionist movement. The materiality of the oil paint itself is evident in the textured surface. Kirchner prioritized the immediacy of feeling over a polished finish, which was typical of the group of German Expressionist artists known as Die Brücke, of which he was a leading member. The subject matter – a group of artists in a bohemian setting – also relates to the artist’s social context. It’s no accident that Kirchner is exploring the lives of artists. This subject allowed him to challenge traditional academic styles, and to advocate for artistic freedom. The painting suggests that the artist’s life is one of creative exploration, rather than a focus on the creation of high-value commodities. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can better understand how Kirchner challenged traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and how he sought to liberate both art and life from the constraints of bourgeois society.