Park Lake in Dresden 1906

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this painting of a park lake in Dresden with oil on canvas, using a color palette that pops with greens, oranges, and reds. Just look at these marks, so intuitive and free! I can imagine Kirchner outside, brush in hand, working quickly to capture the scene before him. He's trying to capture a feeling. The brushstrokes are thick and textured, building up the surface of the canvas, which is almost like a mosaic of color. I can imagine him really sympathizing with the landscape, trying to figure out how to get all of those shimmering reflections on the water. See how each stroke seems to dance and vibrate? I think that Kirchner was probably looking at Van Gogh, maybe even Munch at the time. Artists are always in conversation with each other; that’s what keeps art alive! This painting to me really emphasizes that sense of freedom and expression which I think is so exciting in painting.