Artwork
Erna Bathing in a Tub
Erna Bathing in a Tub is an ink drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on verso, E. L. Kirchner estate stamp, annotated in pen and black ink: Fs Da I Bg 48; in graphite: K6281 / 121
About this work
Overview
Erna Bathing in a Tub is a 1914 drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the development of Expressionism. Created with pen, ink, water washes, and color crayons on wove paper, it showcases the artist's experimental technique.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a nude woman in a domestic setting, sitting in a tub with her body turned sideways. Her blurred face and messy hair convey a sense of informality, while the bold colors and loose lines emphasize the emotional intensity of the scene.
Technique & Style
Kirchner's use of loose lines, splashes of color, and visible paper creates a sense of spontaneity and incompleteness. The bright, smudged colors and quick strokes of yellow, pink, and green contribute to the work's expressive quality, characteristic of the Die Brücke group's style.
Context
As a founding member of Die Brücke, Kirchner was part of a group that emphasized emotional intensity and bold forms in their work. Erna Bathing in a Tub reflects this aesthetic, using vibrant colors and loose lines to capture a moment of everyday life.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (6 May 1880 – 15 June 1938) was a German expressionist painter and printmaker.
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