Seated Woman
Artist
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
(German, 1880–1938)
Date1909–1910
Mediumopaque watercolor on medium thick, smooth, cream wove paper
Dimensions35 x 45 cm (sheet)
ClassificationsDrawings
MarkingsStamped in black ink on verso: "NACHLASS E.L. KIRCHNER"
Credit LineGift of Kate Butler Peterson
Object number1998.217
DescriptionThis drawing depicts Kirchner's favorite model, Doris Grosse, known as "Dodo."Label TextA pioneer of German expressionism, Kirchner was among the founding members of the artist alliance Die Brücke (The Bridge). Alongside Fritz Bleyl, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schimidt-Rottluff, the group found inspiration in French post-impressionism, Edvard Munch, Gothic German woodcuts, and African art on view in Dresden’s Ethnological Museum. Preferring to work quickly, Kirchner sketched in brief stints, enabling him to capture the essence of his model using what he called “the ecstasy of first sight.” The drawing seen here is a portrait of the artist’s muse and lover, Doris Grosse, also known as Dodo. The color of the walls, carpet, and curtain identifies the setting as the storefront studios of Die Brücke at 65 Berliner Straße in Dresden.ProvenanceEstate of the artist; Karl Ströher, Darmstadt, Germany; Alan Frumkin Gallery, Chicago, IL; Mr. and Mrs. Hall James Peterson, Minneapolis, MN and Petersham, MA; Kate Butler Peterson, Weston, MA
On View
Not on view
