German Expressionism, Graphic Impulse and MoMA:
Is Everything Fair In Art and War?
Text by Kim Green | March 2012
Confession……… It has been years since I last sat in an art history class. I thoroughly enjoy it however I am by no means a connoisseur. I find art to be similar to food and wine – extremely subjective. One is ultimately drawn in based on personal preferences that may include proportion, color, texture or subject matter just to name a few. The latter was definitely the selling point when my friend asked if I would be interested in checking out the Museum of Modern Art’s German Expressionism exhibit with him last year. Not to mention, it is just not in my DNA to ever decline an invitation to MoMA!
The exhibition consisted of approximately 250 works by some thirty artists including prints, drawings, paintings and sculptures. Interestingly enough, a number of the works were from Ron Lauder’s (heir to the Estee Lauder fortune) personal collection. Expressionism was a modernist movement originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century intending to evoke emotion by grossly distorting images. It began in 1905 and continued into the 1920s. It was a reflection of sexuality, nature, religion, spirituality and war.
Some of its most crucial years reflect the experience of World War I. Pain and suffering was palpable from the moment we entered the exhibit hall. This certainly was not for the faint of heart. If you wanted a feel good experience, this was not going to be your cup of tea. Some of the most disturbing pieces came from Otto Dix depicting his own tour of duty in a series of fifty etchings appropriately named The War. Other artists portraying similar themes and sentiments included Max Beckmann and Kathe Kollwitz. Starr Figura, Associate Curator, pointed out that printmaking during this movement was an “important medium used for social and political commentary” during the war and postwar years.
In some perspectives, art and other forms of expression can teach us more about history than some text books if we just stop to appreciate these precious treasures left behind.
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