Who painted Nude Woman?

Nude Woman was painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1927.

Where can I see Nude Woman?

Nude Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Nude Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Nude Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Nude Woman

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1927

Nude Woman is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1927 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Nude Woman is a 1927 color lithograph by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a central figure in the German Expressionist movement and co-founder of Die Brücke. The print features a seated, bare-shouldered female nude, rendered in bold, flat forms and vibrant pink, blue, and green hues against a geometrically divided background.

Subject & Meaning

The nude figure, a common subject in Kirchner's work, is depicted in a relaxed, sideways pose with crossed legs. The emphasis on expressive form and color suggests an exploration of the human figure through a distinctly Expressionist lens, prioritizing emotional intensity over naturalistic representation.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed lithography, a technique involving ink pressed onto a stone surface, to achieve the work's characteristic bold lines and flat, ungradated colors. Thick black outlines define the figure, set against a backdrop of intersecting blocks of green, blue, and pink, exemplifying the artist's use of simple, expressive shapes and bright, non-naturalistic colors.

History & Provenance

Created in 1927, Nude Woman predates the Nazi regime's 1933 condemnation of Kirchner's work as 'degenerate art', an event that would significantly impact his subsequent career.

Context

Within the broader context of early 20th-century European art, Nude Woman reflects the Expressionist movement's shift towards emphasizing subjective emotional experience and distorted forms, characteristics that defined Kirchner's contribution to the era.

Legacy

As part of Kirchner's oeuvre, Nude Woman contributes to the enduring influence of Expressionism on modern and contemporary art practices, particularly in its bold reimagining of the human form and innovative use of printmaking techniques.