Formal and Contextual Analysis (German Expressionism)

Formal and Contextual Analysis

You will write a formal and contextual analysis over the following work of art, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s Street, Dresden, c. 1908. Describe the work of art using the analysis terms and concepts. Type an analysis and submit to this assignment, F/CA, by Monday, November 16th. Use this template (Links to an external site.) as a guide to formatting the paper.

Formal Analysis

Using the handouts, elements_art, principles_design, from the Getty Institute, another handout over formal analysis and Smarthistory links below, analyze Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s Street, Dresden, c. 1908. Analyze the work with the terms/concepts listed in the handout: line, shape, etc. Write your analysis down on paper to be submitted.

ELEMENTS OF ART

• Smarthistory | Line (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Shape and Form (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Color (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Space (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Texture (Links to an external site.)

PRINCIPLES OF COMPOSITION (DESIGN)

• Smarthistory | Balance, symmetry, and emphasis (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Proportion and scale (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Movement (Links to an external site.)

• Smarthistory | Pattern, repetition and rhythm, variety and unity (Links to an external site.)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Street, Dresden, 1919. Oil on canvas, 59 1/4″ x 6′ 6 7/8″ (150.5 x 200.4 cm)

Link to image (Links to an external site.)

Contextual Analysis

Using the handout over contextual analysis and the links to the Museum of Modern Art about Kirchner’s work, analyze the painting. Explain possible religious, political, or social issues associated with the work and use some of the questions listed in the handout. Continue to write your analysis down on paper to be submitted.

• MoMA | Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Street, Dresden. 1908 (reworked 1919; dated on painting 1907) (Links to an external site.)

• MoMA | Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Street, Dresden. 1908 (reworked 1919; dated on painting 1907)