Final answer:
Expressionism was an early 20th-century avant-garde movement originating in Germany and Austria, known for its emotionally charged artwork featuring flattened forms, distorted views, and bold colors. Artists sought to convey emotional experiences and respond to sociopolitical changes. The movement continued until being condemned by the National Socialists.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expressionism was an avant-garde movement that began in the early 20th century, with its roots primarily in Germany and Austria. This movement emphasised the expression of emotional experience over physical reality. Notable features of Expressionism in art included flattened forms, distorted views, and garish colors. It was a reaction against Impressionism, favoring the distortion of form and the use of bold colors to reflect the inner feelings of the artists.
Expressionist artists looked beyond the harmonious appearances to explore the deeper meanings and emotions in their work. They aimed to evoke moods and ideas, often imbuing their art with a sense of urgency and intensity reflective of the social and political changes of the time. The movement extended to art, literature, theatre, dance, film, architecture, and music, and remained popular until the rise of the National Socialists (Nazis), who condemned it as 'degenerate.'
Characterized by its emotionally charged aesthetics and focus on individual perspective, Expressionism has left a profound impact on the modern art world that continues to be explored and appreciated.