Expressionism: A Journey from the Soul to the Canvas

I have lived many things in this life, but if something has marked my perception of art, it is expressionism. I have had to deal with its forms, with its power and emotional depth. But it is not only a matter of colors and violent brushstrokes; it is a scream. A cry of anguish, of alienation, of existentialism. I know, it sounds dramatic, but expressionism is pure drama, the kind that shakes you to the bone. Let me tell you why.

What is Expressionism?

Expressionism is like a kick in the face to the established, a rejection of the canons of traditional art that pretended to reflect reality in an objective and complacent way. Here you will not see pretty landscapes or flattering portraits. No, sir! Expressionism is pure subjectivity, where the artist distorts reality to reflect his inner world. What is important is not what you see, but what you feel. Intense colors, exaggerated forms, thick brushstrokes and an atmosphere charged with dark emotions. That's expressionism.

It's rebellious, it's raw, it's intense. And believe me, it's as relevant today as it was in the early 20th century.

Origins of Expressionism

Expressionism was born in Europe, especially in Germany, as a response to a world that seemed increasingly dehumanized and cold. The aftermath of the First World War hit the artists of the time hard, who saw in art a way to channel their fears, frustrations and traumas. This artistic current not only encompassed painting, but also sculpture, architecture, literature and even music.

The two major groups that led the movement were Die Brücke ("The Bridge") and Der Blaue Reiter ("The Blue Rider"). These collectives emerged as spaces where artists could freely express their visions. The former was more focused on the figurative, while the latter leaned towards abstraction and the symbolic use of color.

Key Characteristics of Expressionism

Expressionism is not a movement that can be pigeonholed into a simple formula, but if I had to summarize its main elements, I would say that it is based on three fundamental points:

1. Distortion from reality: Forms and figures do not follow logical rules. Here, the fetish and the grotesque predominate. Reality is deformed to show a deeper truth.
3. Lively colors: And when I say "lively", I mean colors that scream. Red is not just red, it is fury, angst. Blue is loneliness, despair. Expressionist artists did not use color to cheer, but to intensify drama.
5. Dark themes: Expressionism deals with themes that can be uncomfortable: death, madness, alienation, existential angst. It is an art that does not seek to beautify reality, but to expose it, sometimes brutally.

Expressionism in Painting

This is where it gets interesting. Expressionist painting is visceral, with artists like Edvard Munch, famous for his iconic work The Scream-a visual depiction of human despair that almost feels like the canvas is screaming with you.

On the other hand, you have Egon Schiele, who dared to show the vulnerability and deformation of the human body, exploring themes of eroticism and death. His portraits are uncomfortable, but that's what expressionism is all about: making you feel uncomfortable, shaking you.

Expressionist Architecture: Monumentality and Excess

You may not know it, but expressionism also influenced architecture. And although it may seem to you that the art of constructing buildings has little to do with furious brushstrokes, let me tell you that architectural expressionism was a real break with what was being done. The architects of this current sought the utopian, playing with forms that seemed to defy logic and practicality.

Germany, Austria and the Netherlands were the main scenarios of this bold architecture, where glass, brick and steel were key materials. Through them, expressionist architects gave life to works that look more like giant sculptures than buildings.

Expressionist Literature and Theater: The Cry in Words

Literature was not left behind. Authors such as Franz Kafka and Bertolt Brecht took existentialism and pessimism to another level. His stories spoke of the loss of identity, of dehumanization in modern society, of loneliness and the anguish of living in a world that, for many, no longer made sense.

Theater was also imbued with this anguished air. Expressionist plays broke with traditional narrative logic. Here it is not the story itself that matters, but the emotions that are conveyed.

Expressionism Today: Is It Still Alive?

Expressionism did not die with the first half of the 20th century. In fact, it lives on today in many forms. Contemporary artists continue to explore themes of angst and alienation, using intense colors and distorted forms to speak to the crises we face today: from the climate crisis to digital loneliness.

Conclusion: Expressionism in Our Daily Life

For me, expressionism is not just an artistic current. It is a way of life, a way of seeing the world. We all have a bit of expressionism inside us. Every time we feel fear, frustration or despair and we don't know how to express it, we are connecting with that visceral need to scream through art. Because, at the end of the day, expressionism is exactly that: a scream from the soul.

It's a cry from the soul.