Artwork

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Die Geliebte (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Beloved)

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Die Geliebte (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Beloved), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1915
Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Die Geliebte (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Beloved), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1915

Peter Schlemihls wundersame Geschichte: Die Geliebte (Peter Schlemihl's Wondrous Story: The Beloved) 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: Die Geliebte is a 1915 color woodcut on wove paper by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the development of German Expressionism.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a nude woman seated in a dimly lit room, with a man standing in the background near a window. The figures' faces are obscured, contributing to a sense of tension in the scene.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed the woodcut technique, carving the design into wood and printing it to achieve bold, flat areas of color. The resulting work is characterized by its emotional intensity and bold forms, hallmarks of Expressionist art.

History & Provenance

Created during World War I, the print reflects Kirchner's experiences during this period, which included wartime service and a subsequent breakdown. His work was later condemned by the Nazi regime, with many pieces removed in 1937.

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.