“On October 3, 2019, Neue Galerie New York opened ‘Ernst Ludwig Kirchner,’ a major overview of the great German artist’s oeuvre. The presentation spans from 1907 to 1937, presenting several distinct phases associated with the primary cities where he lived and worked: Dresden, Berlin, and Davos. This exhibition is unprecedented in its focus on Kirchner’s revolutionary style, which evolved in relation to his subjects and changing circumstances. Arguably the most outstanding German artist of the early twentieth century, Kirchner occupies a special position in the Neue Galerie collection, and this exhibition pays tribute to his inventive genius.

The show concentrates on Kirchner’s use of color, demonstrating the exciting dialogue that exists between his works in different media. Far from accepting the traditional hierarchy that placed fine art at the pinnacle of an artist’s achievement, Kirchner compared his activity in these various fields to ‘a tightly woven, organic fabric, in which process and completion go hand in hand and one aspect drives the other on.’ The presentation unites paintings, decorative works, drawings, and prints, and is comprised of loans from public and private collections worldwide.” — Neue Galerie

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). Portrait of Hans Frisch, ca. 1907. Oil on canvas. McNay Art Museum, San Antonio. Photo: © McNay Art Museum / Art Resource, NY

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). Tightrope Walk, 1908-10. Oil on canvas. Neue Galerie New York

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). Portrait of a Woman, 1911. Oil on canvas. Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York. General Purchase Funds

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). Tower Room, Fehmarn (Self-Portrait with Erna), 1913. Oil on canvas. Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio. Gift of Howard D. and Babette L. Sirak, the Donors to the Campaign for Enduring Excellence, and the Derby Fund

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). The Toilette (Woman before the Mirror), 1913-20. Oil on canvas. Centre Pompidou, Paris. Musée national d’art moderne/ Centre de création industrielle. Photo: © CNAC/MNAM/Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). The Russian Dancer Mela, 1911. Oil on canvas. Private Collection

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). Berlin Street Scene, 1913-14. Oil on canvas. Neue Galerie New York and Private Collection

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938). Self-Portrait as a Soldier, 1915. Oil on canvas. Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH. Charles F. Olney Fund

“Ernst Ludwig Kirchner” is organized by Neue Galerie New York. The exhibition is co-curated by Jill Lloyd and Janis Staggs. Lloyd is a well known scholar of Expressionism. Staggs is Director of Curatorial and Manager of Publications at the Neue Galerie.

Images courtesy Neue Galerie New York.