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Artwork

Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1913

Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1913
Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd), by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, ink, 1913

Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd) is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:lower right below plate mark in graphite: E LKirchner; by later hand, lower left bottom in blue crayon: 152; by later hand, lower left bottom in graphite: Sch I. 152. KN.(M.) Voltigeuse zu Pferd 1909-13; all inscriptions on verso by later hand, lLv//in graphite: K 9 518 9275; lRv//in blue ink: 139.; lRv//in graphite: 22321

About this work

Overview

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s 1913 print Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd) presents a solitary figure performing a daring maneuver atop a horse. Executed in drypoint on blotting paper, the image is rendered in stark, confident lines that isolate the rider and animal against an unadorned backdrop, emphasizing the physical tension of the pose.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a woman in a plain costume, contorted into an acrobatic stance while balanced on a horse. The simplicity of her attire and the minimal setting draw attention to the bodily strain and daring nature of the act, suggesting themes of agility, risk, and the modern fascination with movement.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed drypoint, incising the design directly into blotting paper, which yields rich, velvety lines and a slightly blurred edge characteristic of the medium. The graphic quality aligns with early Expressionist aesthetics, favoring bold contours and a reduction of detail to convey emotional intensity rather than realistic representation.

History & Provenance

Created during Kirchner’s involvement with Die Brücke, the work reflects the group’s commitment to a new, emotionally charged visual language. Although Kirchner later faced Nazi condemnation of his art as “degenerate,” this print remains a documented example of his pre‑World War I output, preserved in several public collections.

Three Acrobats
Three Acrobats, Arthur B. Davies

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Artist

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (6 May 1880 – 15 June 1938) was a German expressionist painter and printmaker.

MORE BY ERNST LUDWIG KIRCHNER

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd)?

Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd) was painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1913.

Where can I see Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd)?

Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd)?

Museum-quality prints of Acrobat on a Horse (Voltigeuse zu Pferd) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.