Artwork
Naked Girls in the Studio (Nackte Mädchen im Atelier)
Naked Girls in the Studio (Nackte Mädchen im Atelier) is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in graphite: E LKirchner; upper left verso stamped in ink, crossed out in graphite: #X453; in later hand, lower right verso in red pen and graphite, circled: X.366E / #5
About this work
Overview
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner produced the lithograph Nackte Mädchen im Atelier in 1911. Executed on wove paper, the print presents two nude figures arranged within a studio interior, rendered in a stark black‑and‑white palette characteristic of early 20th‑century German printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on two young women, one seated on a chair and the other standing beside her, their bodies rendered with naturalistic detail. The plain white background isolates the figures, emphasizing their posture and expression while suggesting an intimate, private space of artistic observation.
Technique & Style
Kirchner employed lithographic techniques that favor bold, confident lines and limited tonal variation. The minimal shading and decisive contouring convey a sense of immediacy, aligning the work with the expressive, emotionally charged aesthetics associated with the Die Brücke movement.
History & Provenance
Created during Kirchner’s early involvement with Die Brücke, the print reflects his engagement with Expressionist ideals. Later, under the Nazi regime, Kirchner’s oeuvre, including works such as this, was labeled “degenerate,” leading to official condemnation and suppression of his art.
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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![Nude Figure [reverse], by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/ernst-ludwig-kirchner--nude-figure-reverse--4b135f0364753e98-w320.webp)
![Two Nudes [obverse], by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/ernst-ludwig-kirchner--two-nudes-obverse--eb3914183f0bc96d-w320.webp)
![Dancing Couple in the Snow [reverse], by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/ernst-ludwig-kirchner--dancing-couple-in-the-snow-reverse--87ca007d7c05b553-w320.webp)
