Self-portrait

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s Self-portrait exemplifies his mastery of Expressionism, capturing intense emotion through bold colors and distorted forms. As a founding member of Die Brücke, Kirchner sought to express the anxieties and realities of early 20th-century life. His use of Chalk lends a stark, raw quality to the work, reflecting his turbulent personal struggles, including a breakdown during WWI. Sadly, his work was branded as "degenerate" by the Nazis, leading to the loss or sale of many pieces.