Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) was a German painter and printmaker who played a leading role in the Expressionist movement. Born in Aschaffenburg, Kirchner studied architecture before turning to art. He moved to Dresden in 1905, where he founded the artist group Die Brücke (The Bridge) with several other young artists, including Emil Nolde and Max Pechstein. The group sought to break with academic traditions and explore new ways of expressing emotion and subjectivity in art.

Kirchner’s style is characterized by bold, colorful forms and a sense of anxiety and tension. He often depicted urban scenes and the modern world, including cafes, streets, and dance halls. His work is marked by a certain restlessness, reflecting the social and political upheaval of his time. Kirchner’s experiences serving as a medic during World War I also had a profound impact on his art, leading to a darker and more introspective period in his work.

Despite his success, Kirchner’s personal life was troubled, and he struggled with depression and addiction. In 1937, the Nazi regime labeled his work as “degenerate” and removed it from museums. The following year, Kirchner took his own life in Switzerland. Today, his work is celebrated for its innovative style and bold expressionism, and is considered a major influence on modern art.