Study of a Head 1926

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner created this Study of a Head with woodcut on paper. Kirchner was at the forefront of the German Expressionist group, Die Brücke, active in Dresden and Berlin. Expressionism sought to convey the heightened anxieties of an increasingly urban, modern world. The movement was characterized by bold colors, distorted forms, and an emotionally-charged perspective. Kirchner and his peers were interested in portraying modern life, including its psychological effects. The artist once said, “The painter does not paint what he sees, but what he will see.” Here, stark contrasts of black and white emphasize the rough, angular lines of the subject's face, capturing the psychological intensity associated with Expressionism. Kirchner’s portraits often convey a sense of alienation, reflecting his own struggles with mental health and the broader societal anxieties of pre-war Germany. The fragmented composition and the subject's piercing gaze evoke a sense of unease, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of human identity and experience in a rapidly changing world.