Sharp angles, bizarre shapes, bold colours and distorted perspectives are the classic defining elements of Expressionism, the 20th century movement that prioritised emotion over objective reality. Although most prominent in Germany and Austria, the movement flourished worldwide and is now considered one of the most influential artistic periods in the history of art.
With Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Knight) as leading groups and key figures such as Wassily Kandinsky, Egon Schieley and Emil Nolde, the Expressionists disdained Impressionism, which they accused of having "reduced man to the position of recorder of the outside world", and chose instead to portray the pure, visceral experience of life by capturing the emotions it generated rather than what was seen on the surface. Their paintings brim with emotional power, conveyed in particular through intense, non-naturalistic colour palettes, vague brushstrokes and dense textures.
This introductory book, which focuses on the group's stylistic tendencies, influences and leading figures, explores the range of sensations, ideas and emotions of the Expressionists and their constant search for profound authenticity.

Publisher: Taschen