EXPRESSIONSM, art style and artists: definition & meaning of the Expressionist German movement and its painters, described in characteristics, history facts & information
Expressionism was a mainly German modern art movement which started circa 1905 with the start of Brücke in Dresden and Blaue Reiter in Munich. Bendien sees Expressionism as the most emotional and subjective art style of modern art; the emotionally moved Expressionist steep himself in his individual, deepest and most violent emotions. Expressionistic artists are, amongst others, Nolde, Kirchner, Schmidt-Rotluff and Max Beckman , but also the more abstract Expressionists like Kandinsky , Werefkin , Munter, Jawlensky and Franz Marc Franz Marc. (ed.)
At the bottom short history information on the artist Jacob Bendien; the Expressionism quotes are taken from his texts. When you enjoy these quotes, please share them on Facebook, Google +1 or Twitter; – the editor.
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’Heckle und Mühler beim Schach’, Kirchner 1913 |
GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM, style characteristics, history facts, definitions and meaning of the German Expressionist art movement
- The Expressionist is looking for a return to our inner, primitive state, in which we feel subordinate to life as a whole and in which we feel the often, ominous powers at work within ourselves, just as we see this in nature around us.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and artists “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- According to the Expressionist life can only be approached directly through living and not by watching externally, by actively and passively experiencing everything,, everything that stirs and craves and suffers in nature.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
-The Expressionist looks for the heart of life. The sense he uses to discover this is his own intense will to live, his love of life, which is reflected in the stormiest areas of life.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and artists “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Expressionism believes only in the unattainable for the contemplative soul, often the shadowy depths of human nature. It rebels against political correctness, against all philosophical formulas, against all the self-satisfaction of our civilization.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and artists “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history, linked with painter quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Expressionistic art is a spontaneous genial grab at life. It is direct syntheses. It is a summary without going into the various elements.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
-The Expressionist never wants anything less than the whole. He knows nothing of a carefully considered approach.
* source, Expressionism in artist quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Expressionism is the only modern art movement that more or less ignores the contemplative mind.
* source, Expressionism in quotes, information & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- At first he finds freedom to move unhampered outside in natural surroundings. Or rather, the Expressionist inhabits the border of nature and culture, much like young people after puberty in their ‘Sturm & Drang’ period, but then the other way round – with their faces turned to nature.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- It is based on this great nostalgia for our basic, primitive existence, before we understood how to control natural forces with machines and instruments with miraculous results. They long for the existence that was controlled by natural forces. Before we knew about the Taylor system and were turned into machines to gain results. When we still laughed when we had fun, and not when it was decided by social etiquette. Sadly, this life has been totally lost.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style facts, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Expressionism is direct and spontaneous, with or without any bearing on reality; without the lengthy, careful consideration that characterized New Objectivity, and without artistic painting systems as used in Futurism.
* source, Expressionism in art quotes, facts & definitions, the German modern movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- When an Expressionist paints a sheep being torn up and eaten by a wolf, he does not paint a sheep and a wolf with so many legs, nails, long or short fur; no he paints being torn up or tearing up and devouring.
* source, Expressionism in quotes, facts & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Just like the sheep, he does not ask himself whether or not the wolf is cruel. Neither is he interested in beauty or ugliness…… if we are devouring or being devoured nothing else exists at that moment. Anything we think of afterwards and work into the painting has no value for the Expressionist.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history facts, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- The construction of an Expressionistic work of art is not a carefully considered build up, but rather the action itself set out in bold suggestive lines. Color and transference, all are only an expression of the event itself as experienced by the artist.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Christianity, with its total surrender. With its ‘ he who loses himself will find himself’, is preeminently a religion for Expressionists. The dramatic and deep passion in Christian religion fulfills his craving for emotion.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style facts, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Even when the Expressionist is painting a non-religious subject, it is still always the abandonment he expresses. His work is nearly always internally monumental, powerful, essential and total; at least one feels that the artist experiences it in this way. In spite of the spontaneous nature the work always seems heavy.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style facts, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- The Expressionist is tyrannical in his abandonment. Whether he paints a battle scene or a potted plant, he is immediately in full action. Each painting is dramatized by his passionate will to envelope the subject. Sometimes the will is a passion to serve, as with Van Gogh, a predecessor of Expressionism.
* source, Expressionism in quotes, facts & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Expressionism has a blind faith in its naturalness and spontaneity. It distrusts all ethical idealism. It has a raging desire to unmask everything to do with culture.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history facts, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Even though the Expressionist condemns, perhaps rightly, the narrowness of culture, we could ask ourselves whether nature offers many possibilities to those who have already been introduced to cultural life? Very often limits create conditions upon which life can further develop…..
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- The Expressionist who outgrows his natural state and ignores his cultural limits, has lost any reference point and stands before an empty space. Here he has the freedom for his broad, pathetic gesture.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style information, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- However, two streams can be clearly defined: namely the movement where power dominates (Schmidt-Rotluff, Pechstein, etc.) and the movement in which openness/susceptibility dominates (Nolde, Munch etc.) The lines in the power stream are taut as opposed to the lines in the more receptive (….expressionistic artists, fh.), which are like aimless detours in space.
* source, Expressionism in quotes, information & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- For Expressionists the line is mainly an expression of emotion, temperament, or passion. They distinguish especially rage lines, calm, ecstatic, doubtful, happy, depressed lines etc.
* source, Expressionism in quotes, information & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- Expressionists often chose sharp contrasts in their search for emotive colors. Their colors are often sombre or vague with sudden, bright flashes. Particularly when they portray cultural life, they reflect their sombre view of this cultural life. In abstract paintings and paintings of natural scenes however, their colors tend to be idyllically joyous.
* source, Expressionism in quotes & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history information, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
- The most important art painting method for Expressionists is rhythm. The relative poverty of possibilities offered by this method forms no objection to giving this a dominant function. The main point is the suggestive working, the enthusiasm that caused suspicion by the more contemplative movements.
-It is difficult to precisely distinguish between the three revolutionary movements, Expressionism, Dada, and Surrealism. Serious Expressionists like Nolde and Schmidt-Rotluff, will not easily be confused with Dada or Surrealism. But the more subtle Expressionists will often be considered as Surrealists. And a few of the serious Surrealists like Masson and Bores are sometimes considered as Expressionists.
* source, Expressionism in quotes, information & definitions, the German modern art movement and painters “Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, Jacob Bendien, Rotterdam 1936. (meaning, characteristics, style, history, linked with artists quotes of famous Expressionists)
N.B. Artists from the art group the ‘Blaue Reiter’ who tended to abstraction, such as Franz Marc and Kandinsky, are seen by Jacob Bendien as Expressionists (ed).
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Expressionism-in-art-quotes??editor, Fons Heijnsbroek
translation, Anne Porcelijn
ART LINKS
for more information and facts about Expressionism art movement & Expressionist artists
* more information on the modern art movement German Expressionism, on Wikipedia
* many images of modern art, created in Expressionism art style, on Google
A short history of facts about the Dutch artist and art writer Jacob Bendien
The selected art quotes here, over the modern German art movement Expressionism are taken from Bendien’s unknown but great Dutch art-book ‘Trends in the Present Day Art of Painting”, 1936.
As a young, exploratory, Dutch artist, Jacob Bendien spent some time in France, in Paris around 1913, just before the outbreak of the First World War. He was greatly inspired by early Cubism of Picasso and George Braque, by Delaunay’s Orphism and Matisse’s Fauvism. In Paris he witnessed the beginnings of the modern art movements such as Futurism, Dada, Purism and early Surrealism. He also learnt about the new abstract art styles; the ideas of Piet Mondrian, Kandinsky and the Blue Rider, and the Russian Constructivism and Suprematism of Lissitsky and Malevich.
Bendien was an inspirational and also empathic artist, he was eager to learn and understood the up and coming new modern art. He needed to do this in order to express his own position as a practicing artist, but he also loved to explain and teach other people about the ‘miracles’ of modern art. As an artist himself, Bendien needed to understand and describe the new art movements from the ‘inside’.
After 1930 Bendien became seriously ill with tuberculosis, and was forced to spend a great deal of time in bed reflecting on all the ideas and concepts of the new art movements, their differences and contrasts in style, but also about the elements they had in common with one another. In this way Bendien functioned as an inspirational and great teacher for several famous young Dutch art critics, such as Hammacher, who enjoyed frequent visits.
Bendien was an emphatic, inspirational artist and a truly witness to the start of the new art movements and styles till 1930. So we like to present his art quotes and hope you will enjoy them.
Fons Heijnsbroek
