Bathers at Sea 1914

"Bathers at Sea" (1914) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is a striking example of German Expressionism, a movement characterized by bold colors, distorted forms, and emotional intensity. The painting depicts two nude women standing on a beach, their bodies contorted and elongated, their faces rendered with sharp, angular features. The vibrant, almost Fauvist palette, with its rich oranges, browns, and blues, conveys the heat and sensuality of the summer scene, while the jagged lines and exaggerated forms suggest a sense of unease and anxiety. The overall effect is both alluring and unsettling, reflecting the turbulent social and political climate of the time.