Equestrienne 1913

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s ‘Equestrienne’ is an oil painting. Kirchner’s bold, expressive brushwork creates a sense of dynamic movement, perfectly capturing the energy of the circus. The material qualities of oil paint—its thickness, its capacity for layering and blending—are all exploited here to the fullest extent. The paint is applied in short, visible strokes, particularly noticeable in the figures of the audience. The colors are vibrant and contrasting, heightening the drama of the scene. The visible process invites us to consider the labor involved in the painting’s creation. Kirchner was a master of capturing the frenetic pace of modern life, and the circus, a form of popular entertainment, was one way to do that. By focusing on the materiality and the making of ‘Equestrienne,’ we can appreciate how Kirchner elevated a common subject to the realm of high art.