Trees - Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

A 1913 colour lithograph by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner featuring angular figures beneath stylised trees. This German Expressionist print uses a bold palette of blue and brown.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner produced this colour lithograph in 1913. It dates from his time in Berlin. This period marked a shift in German Expressionism as members of Die Brücke moved from Dresden to the capital. The print depicts three figures beneath stylised trees. Kirchner used jagged lines and simplified forms to create the scene. The work reflects the tension and energy of his Berlin years. The composition uses a palette of blue, brown, and pale green. Kirchner applied these colours in flat areas to create depth without traditional perspective. The figures appear as angular silhouettes. This approach shows the artist's interest in non-Western art and woodcarving. The abstraction focuses on the emotional state of the subjects. The trees are not realistic depictions. Instead, they are sharp, pointed shapes that dominate the upper half of the frame. Kirchner was an experimental printmaker. He often printed his own work instead of using professional shops. This allowed him to control the ink and pressure for each impression. This work is recorded in the catalogue by Gustav Schiefler. The reference number is visible in the lower margin. The print shows the artist's attempt to find a direct and primitive form of expression in the modern world. The blue background suggests a sky or distant water. It contrasts with the heavy brown of the tree trunks and the pale green of the foreground. The figures are integrated into the environment through their shared angularity. Kirchner's use of lithography here mimics the blocky texture of a woodcut. This technique was common among Die Brücke artists who sought a raw and unrefined aesthetic. The resulting image depicts the relationship between humanity and nature through a modern lens.