Artwork

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Der Verkauf des Schattens (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Sale of His Shadow)

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Der Verkauf des Schattens (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Sale of His Shadow), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1915
Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Der Verkauf des Schattens (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Sale of His Shadow), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1915

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Der Verkauf des Schattens (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Sale of His Shadow) is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1915 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Der Verkauf des Schattens is a 1915 color woodcut by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a leading figure in the Expressionist movement and co-founder of Die Brücke. The print captures a pivotal moment from Peter Schlemihl’s Wondrous Story, where the protagonist sells his shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates a somber, mysterious scene of a man in dark attire with a vibrant, detached shadow, conveying the narrative's themes of loss and transformation. The figure's obscured face and downward gaze add to the sense of introspection and disconnection.

Technique & Style

Printed from two wood blocks on medium-thick wove paper, the piece showcases Kirchner's Expressionist style through bold lines, abstracted backgrounds, and a contrasting color palette (notably red and purple accents), which imbue the image with tension and dynamic energy.

History & Provenance

Created in 1915, the woodcut is characteristic of Kirchner's contributions to the Expressionist movement through Die Brücke. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

Within the early 20th-century European art landscape, this work reflects the Expressionists' emphasis on emotional intensity and distortion of form, aligning with the movement's broader philosophical and aesthetic explorations.

Legacy

As part of Kirchner's oeuvre, Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Der Verkauf des Schattens contributes to the enduring influence of Expressionism on subsequent art movements, though its individual impact is not distinctly outlined beyond its association with the artist and movement.

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.