This portrait is one of thousands stolen by the Nazis, and its story shows that the madness didn’t end with WWII.
Fauvism + Expressionism
Not a term chosen by the artists, it describes art that emphasized the emotional impact over descriptive accuracy.
Expressionism, an introduction
Kandinsky’s work of “total art” combines both abstract and representational images with rhythmic, mystical poetry.
Vasily Kandinsky, Klänge (Sounds)
In a series of multicolored prints, Nolde captured the awkward experience of watching a couple fight in public.
Emil Nolde, Young Couple
Kirchner’s claustrophobic city scene reflects on a culture where everything is for sale.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Street, Berlin
At first glance this looks like a series of cheerful circus images, but upon further inspection, it’s much darker.
Henri Matisse, the illustrated book Jazz
When Matisse painted this, all the cool kids were into cubist geometry—and Matisse was definitely cool.
Henri Matisse, The Blue Window
The body’s expressive contortions reflect sculptural tradition, but Schiele used it to express the interior self.
Egon Schiele, Seated Male Nude (Self-Portrait)
Is Schiele’s haunted figure meant to be a famed Austrian artist or Jesus Christ—or both?
Egon Schiele, The Hermits
Jawlensky rejected the principles of his arts education in order to embrace Expressionism at its most extreme.
Alexej von Jawlensky, Young Girl in a ...
Matisse borrows brushwork technique from his pal Signac—but don’t call him a Pointillist just yet.
Henri Matisse, Luxe, calme et volupté
Kirchner defines his city with only the figures: there is not a building in view.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Street, Dresden
What would this painting sound like? Yes, you read that right – this canvas blurs the lines between senses.
Vasily Kandinsky, Improvisation 28 (second version)
Kirchner is rendered unable to create or destroy in this nightmarish wartime painting.
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Self-Portrait As a Soldier
Here, Matisse commits the cardinal parenting sin of conflating his own childhood experiences with those of his son.
Henri Matisse, The Piano Lesson
To say that Matisse “had a thing for goldfish” would be kind of an understatement.
Henri Matisse, Goldfish
In this painting of the artist’s studio, it’s Matisse vs. the illusion of space in a bloody battle royale.
Henri Matisse, The Red Studio
You know that painting from third grade your mom won’t take off the fridge? This is different. Mostly.
Henri Matisse, Dance I
Though its languid poses reference Titian, this was regarded as the most radical painting of its day.
Henri Matisse, Bonheur de Vivre
The joyful, vivid, sensual paintings of the “wild beasts” had a dark side.