Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s graphic work is an essential component of his artistic output and of outstanding importance to modern art. His passion for printmaking led him to produce more than two thousand printed images in woodcut, etching, and lithography over an artistic career of less than forty years.
His woodcuts are characterized by clear lines and strong contrasts; his etchings, on the other hand, by very precise and delicate use of the needle. His lithographs are impressive for their spontaneity and directness, which conceal the enormous effort involved in the production process.
Kirchner revolutionized and expanded the use of the various techniques, printing almost all works himself and achieving unique and novel effects. Due to their direct and unmediated expressiveness as well as their innovative methods of production, his prints are to this day considered milestones in art history.
With its extensive holdings of works on paper, the Kirchner Museum Davos is ideally positioned to present the history of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s printmaking practice based on the most outstanding prints in its own collection.
Masterful works such as the manifesto of the Brücke artists’ group, Bathing Men, One Carrying Rushes of 1910 (Dube R 113), and Head of Ludwig Schames (1918, Dube H 330 II) are on view in the exhibition “Art Print Kirchner – Master of Printmaking.” The range of depicted subjects is as varied as the media used. They include studio scenes from the Brücke period and observations of rural life as well as intimate portraits, cabaret, café, and theater subjects. The numerous prints in the Kirchner Museum’s collection make it possible to follow the development of certain themes that recur throughout his oeuvre, such as that of “dance.” The works included in this survey reflect Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s use of a wide range of printmaking techniques and underscore their significance for the artistic practice of this extraordinary Expressionist.
The exhibition is complemented by short films that offer a detailed introduction to the techniques and their application, as well as by a program of supporting events that allow visitors to try them out for themselves.
