Artwork

Erna Bathing in a Tub

Erna Bathing in a Tub, by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1914
Erna Bathing in a Tub, by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1914

Erna Bathing in a Tub is an ink drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Erna Bathing in a Tub is a 1914 drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the development of Expressionism. Created with pen, ink, water washes, and color crayons on wove paper, it showcases the artist's experimental technique.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a nude woman in a domestic setting, sitting in a tub with her body turned sideways. Her blurred face and messy hair convey a sense of informality, while the bold colors and loose lines emphasize the emotional intensity of the scene.

Technique & Style

Kirchner's use of loose lines, splashes of color, and visible paper creates a sense of spontaneity and incompleteness. The bright, smudged colors and quick strokes of yellow, pink, and green contribute to the work's expressive quality, characteristic of the Die Brücke group's style.

Context

As a founding member of Die Brücke, Kirchner was part of a group that emphasized emotional intensity and bold forms in their work. Erna Bathing in a Tub reflects this aesthetic, using vibrant colors and loose lines to capture a moment of everyday life.

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.