Who painted Young Girl Drawing?

Young Girl Drawing was painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1906.

Where can I see Young Girl Drawing?

Young Girl Drawing is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

Young Girl Drawing

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1906

Young Girl Drawing is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1906 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Young Girl Drawing is a 1906 etching by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the German Expressionist movement and co-founder of the artists' collective Die Brücke. This print captures a domestic scene of a girl engaged in drawing, observed by a standing woman.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a young girl drawing with an attendant woman, embodies the Expressionist emphasis on modern life and emotional expression. The scene conveys a sense of intimacy and creative focus, characteristic of Kirchner's exploration of everyday moments.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, the work features rough, wavy lines and a grainy texture, achieved through the etching process where ink is retained in carved metal lines. The spontaneous, sketch-like quality and subdued background reflect Kirchner's expressive, non-polished approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1906, during Kirchner's active involvement with Die Brücke, the print later became part of a broader body of his work targeted by the Nazi regime, which deemed his art 'degenerate' and confiscated it.

Context

Young Girl Drawing sits within the early 20th-century Expressionist movement, which Kirchner helped define through Die Brücke. The work reflects the group's shift towards capturing the emotional and psychological depth of modern urban life.