Wildfire Expressionism

The woodcut was largely responsible for the widespread dissemination and popularity of Expressionism after the First World War and in the culture of the 1920s. It shaped the image of Expressionism and became the Expressionist medium of expression par excellence. Its special characteristics are sharply cut black and white contrasts, jagged stylisations, spatial incoherence and formal deformations. The works present a great stylistic and thematic variety: portrait, nude, man and nature, city life, village, industry, vaudeville, social criticism, paths to abstraction. Different stylistic approaches encourage comparative viewing and the question of what actually constitutes the expressionist woodcut. The works in the exhibition belong to the part of the Hierling Collection that has remained in the hands of the private collector. The collection is considered one of the finest collections of Expressionist woodcuts. After presentations in the Museum Ulm and the Museum Schloss Moyland, they are now to be shown to the public in Bernried. A new edition of the existing catalogue will be published to accompany the show.

Last edited on 14.03.2025