Self-Portrait as an Invalid 1918

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painted this self-portrait in 1917. Kirchner uses a palette of intense colors and bold brushstrokes, a process of artmaking that captures the raw emotion of the scene. Look at how the sickly green of Kirchner's face contrasts with the vibrant red that surrounds him, and the thick application of paint gives the surface a tactile quality. The colours shape our experience of the artwork as they create a feeling of unease and anxiety, mirroring Kirchner's psychological state. The jagged lines and distorted perspective add to the sense of disorientation. His gaunt features and haunted expression speak volumes about his inner turmoil. Kirchner was associated with the German Expressionist group Die Brücke, who were interested in evoking subjective emotion, like Edvard Munch for instance. Kirchner’s work is never about finding easy answers or resolutions, but rather embracing the complexities and contradictions of human existence.