Artwork

Port Scene (Hafenbild)

Port Scene (Hafenbild), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1908
Port Scene (Hafenbild), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1908

Port Scene (Hafenbild) is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Port Scene (Hafenbild) is a 1908 woodcut by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the development of early 20th-century Expressionism.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two figures on a ship, surrounded by jagged lines and spiky shapes suggesting masts or waves, conveying a sense of chaos and emotional intensity.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed a carving method, cutting grooves into wood and pressing ink into them, resulting in bold, uneven lines that give the image a sketch-like quality.

Context

As a founding member of Die Brücke, Kirchner's work reflects the group's emphasis on bold forms and emotional intensity, characteristic of the Expressionist 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.