Final answer:
Expressionism was a modernist movement that originated in Germany, focusing on emotional experience over physical reality. German Expressionism was influenced by artists like Edvard Munch and emphasized subjective perspectives. The movement, which included various art forms, was suppressed in the 1930s by the Nazis but left a lasting impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expressionism and Its Impact
Artists who considered themselves part of the Expressionist movement were deeply invested in portraying images from a subjective viewpoint that emphasized pure, profound emotion. This movement, originating at the beginning of the 20th century, cultivated art that was charged with emotions and was a response to the dissatisfaction with the traditional academic art standards. The primary objective was not to portray a realistic depiction of the world but rather to express the inner emotional experience. It was a deviation from typical visual representation, focusing on mood and idea over physical reality, pushing the boundaries of form and color. Prominent German Expressionists such as Emil Nolde and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, alongside Edvard Munch, a Norwegian artist, were key figures who influenced this movement.
Expressionism, particularly German Expressionism, focused on abstract and sometimes disturbing imagery to reflect the artist's inner life and feelings. These artists manipulated perspective and used bold colors to evoke the moods or ideas they wanted to communicate. The movement was not only about the visual arts; it also included literature, theatre, and music, and was indicative of a push for social and political change prior to World War II.
The movement persisted until the 1930s when the rise of the National Socialists (Nazis) led to the denouncement and rejection of Expressionism, condemning it as 'degenerate.' Despite this suppression, the legacy of Expressionism continued to influence future generations and movements.