Artwork

Street Scene with an Omnibus

Street Scene with an Omnibus, by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1914
Street Scene with an Omnibus, by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1914

Street Scene with an Omnibus is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Street Scene with an Omnibus is a 1914 print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the development of German Expressionism. Created using drypoint and etching with tonal biting, it exemplifies Kirchner's innovative approach to printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling urban scene, with pedestrians hurrying along a street lined with a tram. The composition captures the dynamism of city life, a recurring theme in Kirchner's work. The figures are rendered in a mix of sharp, dark lines and textured areas, conveying a sense of energy and movement.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed drypoint and etching techniques to achieve the print's distinctive visual qualities. Drypoint, which involves scratching directly into a metal plate, produced rough, textured lines that add to the image's expressive effect. The combination of techniques resulted in a richly detailed and nuanced representation of the urban scene.

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.