Artwork

Dodo and an Older Woman Reclining before a Mirror

Dodo and an Older Woman Reclining before a Mirror, by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1909
Dodo and an Older Woman Reclining before a Mirror, by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1909

Dodo and an Older Woman Reclining before a Mirror is an ink drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The painting is called Dodo and an Older Woman Reclining before a Mirror.
It was made by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1909.
The artist used pen and black ink on heavy gray-green paper, which is an interesting choice for this type of work.
This combination of materials and the subject of the painting make it notable.
You can find this work at the museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Overview

Dodo and an Older Woman Reclining before a Mirror is a 1909 drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, created with pen and black ink on heavy gray-green paper. It is now held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Technique & Style

The drawing showcases Kirchner's bold and expressive style, characterized by simplified forms and vivid contrasts, hallmarks of the Die Brücke group's early 20th-century Expressionist aesthetic.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts two reclining figures before a mirror, rendered in a manner that emphasizes emotional intensity over representational accuracy.

History & Provenance

Kirchner, a founding member of Die Brücke, was instrumental in shaping the Expressionist movement, and this drawing reflects his contribution to the development of the style.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Artist

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (6 May 1880 – 15 June 1938) was a German expressionist painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.