Ernest Ludwig Kirchner, "Ice Skaters"

 

   Since winter is at its crest, and our days slowly getting longer, let us take a look at one more winter scene.  This time it is Ernest Ludwig Kirchner's (1880-1938) Schlittschuhlaufer, which translates to Ice Skaters.  As you may guess by the title, Kirchner was German and his dates, indicate he lived during the most difficult days in German history.  As true of many artists, Kirchner must have been a very sensitive person.  He did enlist in World War I, but once active suffered a breakdown.  He did recover, but bouts of depression reoccurred throughout the remainder of his life.   And, maybe with good reason.  Early on he found much success as an artist, but when the Nazi's came to power his works were considered "degenerate" and over 600 removed from museums.  He was quickly tossed out of all established German art societies, and soon could no longer sell.  In 1938 he took his own life.
    But even though his life was tragic, his paintings can cover a range of emotion and sentiment.  Here we have five beautifully dressed adults out enjoying the frozen pond.  Notice the difference in their postures, each moving along as if there is music playing nearby.   I love the swirls in the ice complemented by the curves of the pink hills to the rear.   The sky indicates it is probably evening, with maybe the rink lit by gas lanterns?  Maybe this lighting influenced Kirchner's choice of colors.  
    It is the colors that make this a typical Kirchner painting, for they are bold and bright.  Notice how he has used a strange color of light green to indicate some kind of shadow near each figure.  Did men really ice skate wearing bright red/orange pants, and women in blue stockings?  I think it a mistake to think to deeply about the costume colors, but simply to realize this is Kirchner's way of being expressive.  The postures and serious faces show their concentration performing their sport, and maybe that is typically German?  

    Ice Skaters was done between 1924 and 25, it is an oil on canvas, and is now part of the permanent collection of the Hessisches Landsmuseum (State Museum of Hesse) in Darmstadt, Germany.   The painting measures 24" x 17.7".  

Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.




 

Comments

  1. Char HarguthFebruary 1, 2021 at 6:05 PM

    This is a lovely painting for the season. I like his work very much; the bright colors and the bold strokes. In this scene a horizontal line forms across the upper third with the girls outspread arms, but the line does not quite touch on either side. And just above it is the horizon line. Even with the perspective, all five forms are fully shown. Such an interesting composition. I looked at other work of his and note that he often paints people in close group settings who seem to be emotionally engaged. I also notice his influence from Picasso and Matisse. I had not seen this painting before; it is beautiful and the skaters are fashionable. I do like his free style.

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