Biography

Kirchner was one of the most important practitioners of German Expressionism. The painter, graphic artist and sculpture co-founded the artist community “Die Brücke” (The Bridge) in Dresden, which developed its own, specific style of art. “Die Brücke” exerted a decisive impact on the direction taken by classical modernism. In 1911/12 he moved to Berlin and created his masterpiece works. The outbreak of the First World War was a turning point in Kirchner’s life. 

Military service and the experience of war led him to a nervous breakdown, giving rise to existential anxiety. The artist became addicted to drugs and spent a long time seeking treatment in various sanatoriums. In 1917 he settled in Switzerland and worked up until he committed suicide in 1938. The Nazis referred to his paintings as “degenerate” and removed them from museums. Today, his work is shown in the most prestigious museums in the world.

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