The artwork titled “Walking Man in the Meadow” was created by artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1922, and it is an expressionist piece. Measuring 66.5 by 37.6 cm, this work is categorized as a portrait. Expressionism is known for its focus on depicting emotional experiences rather than physical reality.
The image showcases a stark, high-contrast scene executed primarily in black and white. It features a figure, presumably a man based on the title, situated centrally and dominating the composition. He appears to be walking through a meadow, illustrated by the tall grass or plants surrounding him. The figure’s face is composed of angular lines, with a pronounced nose and an intense gaze, echoing the typical expressionist style that seeks to convey inner psychological states.
The background suggests an outdoor environment, indicated by what could be interpreted as foliage and the suggestion of a landscape beyond the man. There is a sense of movement and depth created by the strong outlines and contrasting areas of dark and light. Additionally, the sky seems to be indicated by diagonally inclined lines, which adds to the overall dynamism of the scene. Simple forms, such as the swirl-like representations of flowers or plants close to the figure, contribute to the stylization typical of expressionism. The texture of the work, with its visible lines and marks, imparts a raw, almost woodcut-like quality to the print, adding to the emotional intensity that Kirchner often sought in his art.
