Who painted Hippodrome?

Hippodrome was painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1910.

Where can I see Hippodrome?

Hippodrome is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Hippodrome?

Museum-quality prints of Hippodrome are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Hippodrome

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1910

Hippodrome is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in graphite: Eigendruck; lower right in graphite: EL Kirchner; bottom right by later hand in graphite: No. 15
Markings: Marked:Zoll I 27 (Swiss Customs?)

About this work

Overview

Hippodrome is a 1910 drypoint print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the German Expressionist movement and co-founder of Die Brücke. The work depicts a dynamic circus scene.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a moment of tension in a circus setting, with a horse rider and a whip-wielding figure in a top hat at its center. The scene conveys a sense of energetic performance, reflecting the Expressionist emphasis on emotional intensity.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed drypoint to create Hippodrome, scratching the design onto a plate to achieve textured, expressive lines. These lines not only define forms but also suggest movement and vitality, characteristic of early 20th-century Expressionist aesthetics.

History & Provenance

Created in 1910, Hippodrome exemplifies the early Expressionist style of Die Brücke, the influential artists' group Kirchner helped establish. Provenance details are not specified in available information.

Context

Within the broader context of German art in the early 20th century, Hippodrome contributes to the Expressionist movement's shift away from representational art, emphasizing instead subjective experience and bold, distorted forms.

Legacy

As part of Kirchner's oeuvre, Hippodrome reflects his contribution to the development of Expressionism, influencing subsequent generations of artists in exploring emotional depth through distorted, energetic forms.