The painting “Woman before the Mirror” by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, created in 1912, is an oil on canvas work that exemplifies the Expressionist movement. It falls under the genre painting category as it depicts a scene of everyday life. Expressionism as an art movement often emphasizes the expression of emotion over realistic representation.
The artwork presents a scene with a woman in what seems to be a private, intimate moment. She is seated in front of a mirror, captured from behind, allowing the viewer a glimpse of her reflection. The figure’s skin is depicted in shades of brown, while bold strokes are used, manifesting the typical Expressionist technique that favors emotional impact over detail. The woman wears a white garment around her lower body, leaving her upper body bare. Her posture, with one hand near her face, suggests she may be absorbed in contemplation or examining her reflection. The room around her is painted with strong, dark colors, with blues and greens dominating the composition, and the objects have a simplified form, typical of Kirchner’s approach to shapes and outlines. The use of contrasting colors and the interplay of light and dark create a striking visual impact that pulls the viewer into the subject’s world.
