Railway Underpass in Dresden 1926

"Railway Underpass in Dresden" (1926) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is a prime example of German Expressionism, a movement that emerged in the early 20th century. Kirchner’s bold, angular brushstrokes and vivid colors convey a sense of urban alienation and disorientation, emphasizing the disharmony of modern life. The painting's composition, with its view from beneath the railway bridge, creates a sense of claustrophobia and emphasizes the overwhelming presence of industrial structures in the cityscape. The figures in the scene are rendered in a simplified, almost symbolic manner, contributing to the overall feeling of unease.