Brucke

The Die Brücke artists group was founded in Dresden in 1905, and is considered the birth of Expressionism. They sought to reject the limits of academia and bridge the path to an artistic future, incorporating portraits, landscapes, and city scenes with jagged lines, crude forms, and clashing colors to express their subjective experience of the world. This book explores their key works, international inspirations, and influence on later 20th-century art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2019
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

The foundation of the Die Brücke artists group, a pivotal movement in Expressionism, is widely celebrated for its significance in the art world. Led by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, this group emerged in the German city of Dresden on June 7, 1905. Their mission was to break free from the constraints of academia and forge a new path toward an artistic future. As reflected in their name, Die Brücke, they aimed to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation.

Their manifesto, printed using woodblock, boldly asserted their commitment to absolute freedom from convention in both their work and personal lives. This new and liberated art embraced a wide range of subjects, including portraits, landscapes, and city scenes. However, what set Die Brücke apart was their unique approach to depicting reality. Instead of a straightforward representation, they sought to convey an expression of interior geography, emphasizing the subjective experiences of their artists.

In their paintings and their favored wood and linocut prints, the Die Brücke artists employed bold and expressive techniques. They filled their canvases with jagged lines, crude forms, and clashing colors, all aimed at capturing the raw energy and emotion of their subjects. This bold use of color and form was influenced by non-Western traditions of Oceanic and African arts, as well as the print and painting techniques of Albrecht Dürer and Lucas Cranach the Elder.

This comprehensive book delves into the world of Die Brücke, exploring their key works, prominent protagonists, diverse international inspirations, and profound influence on later 20th-century art. Along the way, readers are treated to a visual feast of candid nudes, bustling street views, and idyllic bathing scenes. Each image is vibrant with energy and brimming with the intent to create a new kind of art that transcends traditional boundaries.

Die Brücke's legacy continues to resonate today, as their innovative approach to art paved the way for future generations of artists to push the boundaries of creativity and express their innermost thoughts and emotions. Their bold use of color, form, and subject matter has left an indelible mark on the history of art, and their influence can be seen in the works of countless artists who have followed in their footsteps.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 264 x 218 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836537001