“Sailboats at Fehmarn” is a chalk sketch created by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1914. This artwork belongs to the Expressionist movement and is classified under the genre of sketch and study. Currently housed at the Brücke Museum in Berlin, Germany, it exemplifies Kirchner’s unique style and significant contribution to early 20th-century art.
The artwork presents an abstract depiction of sailboats and figures through the expressive use of chalk lines. The composition is vibrant with dynamic, sweeping strokes that suggest the motion and atmosphere of the scene. The figures and sails are rendered in quick, gestural lines, capturing a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The abstracted forms and dramatic angles convey a lively interaction with the environment, signature to Kirchner’s approach to capturing the essence of his subjects. The simplicity of the medium paired with the complexity of the composition reflects the artist’s skill in evoking emotion and movement through minimalistic means.
