Artwork

Reclining Nude with Cat (Illustration for _Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Das Graphische Werk_)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1924

Reclining Nude with Cat (Illustration for _Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Das Graphische Werk_) is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Reclining Nude with Cat is a 1924 color woodcut illustration by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, created for the publication *Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Das Graphische Werk*. The print features a nude female figure in a reclining pose, accompanied by a cat, characterized by bold, simplified forms.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the print is a serene, reclining nude with a cat at her feet, conveying a sense of intimacy and tranquility. As a work by a leading Expressionist, it may also symbolize the artist's emphasis on emotional expression and the everyday.

Technique & Style

Executed as a color woodcut from two blocks, the print combines orange and blue-violet hues. The visible wood grain and bold, simplified forms are hallmark characteristics of Kirchner's graphic style, as well as the woodcut technique itself.

History & Provenance

Created in 1924 for a catalog of Kirchner's graphic works, this print was designed for mass distribution, folded into a portable prospectus. Its affordability and ease of sharing were key to the artist's goal of widespread dissemination.

Context

As a founding member of *Die Brücke*, Kirchner played a pivotal role in early 20th-century Expressionism. This work reflects the movement's emphasis on subjective experience and experimentation with printmaking techniques.