Street scenes (Ernst Kirchner artworks)

The street scenes are a series of works by the German artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made between 1913 and 1915. The cycle is regarded as one of the most important works of German expressionism. It consists of 11 paintings, 32 pages from sketchbooks, 15 ink brush drawings, 17 pastel and chalk drawings, 14 woodcuts, 14 etchings and 8 lithographs. The series deals with the Berlin of the early 20th century and its development into a metropolis. The works frequently depict "Koketten" (prostitutes), who serve as a metaphor for the hectic pace and sensuality of the growing city.

Paintings
The paintings are the central part of the work of art. The first painting is "Five women on the street". The dynamic in the composition increased during the period of origin. Style elements of futurism but also elements of Mannerism can also be found. The paintings were mostly finished in 1914. Some of them were finished in 1915 and others in the 1920s.

Literature

 * Donald E. Gordon: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Kritisches Werkverzeichnis, München 1968
 * Magdalene M. Moeller: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Die Straßenszenen 1913-1915. Hirmer Verlag, München 1993, ISBN 3-7774-6190-3
 * Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: Briefwechsel : 1910 - 1935. 1938, Belser Verlag, Stuttgart Zürich, 1990
 * Ausstellungskatalog Ernst Ludwig Kirchner 1880–1938, Nationalgalerie Berlin, Haus der Kunst München, Museum Ludwig in der Kunsthalle Köln, Kunsthaus Zürich, 1979/1980