Young Man 1917

"Young Man" is a 1917 watercolor painting by German artist Erich Heckel, a key member of the Die Brücke, an expressionist group formed in Dresden in 1905. The artwork is known for its bold colors, expressive brushwork, and simplified forms, characteristic of the Expressionist movement. The subject, a young man with a shaved head, is depicted in a close-up, his gaze directed away from the viewer. The stark contrast of colors and the use of bold lines contribute to the painting's emotional intensity and sense of immediacy. Heckel's use of watercolor in this work allows for a vibrant and fluid application of paint, further enhancing the expressive nature of the piece. "Young Man" represents a pivotal moment in Heckel's artistic development and exemplifies the key tenets of German Expressionism.