Expressionism

Expressionism began in Germany in the early 1900s. Artists wanted to show how they felt inside, not just what the world looked like outside. They used dark colors, jagged lines, and twisted shapes to express strong emotions like fear, anger, or loneliness. Their paintings could feel scary, exciting, or sad. Expressionism changed how people thought about what art could be.

Feelings on Canvas

Expressionist artists painted their emotions. Edvard Munch created The Scream, one of the most famous paintings ever. It shows a person screaming with a swirling orange sky behind them. Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painted city streets with sharp angles and nervous energy. The colors were often harsh and the shapes were exaggerated. Everything was meant to make you feel something strong.

The Blue Rider Group

Some Expressionist artists in Germany formed a group called The Blue Rider. Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc were the leaders. Kandinsky believed colors and shapes could express feelings just like music. He made some of the first abstract paintings. Franz Marc loved to paint animals in bright colors, like blue horses and yellow cows. These artists showed that art did not need to look like the real world.

Fun Facts

• Edvard Munch's painting The Scream has been stolen from museums twice, but it was found both times.
• Wassily Kandinsky could hear colors and see sounds, a special ability called synesthesia.
• Franz Marc painted animals in different colors to show their moods. Blue meant spiritual, yellow meant cheerful.

Did You Know?

Edvard Munch said he got the idea for The Scream while walking at sunset when the sky turned blood red and he felt a wave of sadness!