“Landschaft am Wannsee” (Landscape on Lake Wann)

Details

Inscribed on the reverse “Dr. B. Havelsee Schilflandschaft” and numbered “16” and “177” in a circle, presumably by an unknown hand. With a photo expertise by Dr. Wolfgang Henze, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Archiv, Wichtrach/Bern, dated 10.6.1999. This work is documented in the foundation’s archive and will be included in the supplement to the Catalogue Raisonné. Exhibitions: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner – Gemälde und Graphik der Sammlung Dr. Bauer – Davos, Haus der Kunst/Haus am Waldsee, Munich/Berlin 1952/53, cat. no.103. Provenance: collection of Dr. Frédéric Bauer, Davos; Roman Norbert Ketterer, Stuttgarter Kunstkabinett, 26.11.1953, lot 1889; Galerie Maulberger, Munich, with label on the back of the frame; private collection, Bremen.

Description

• From the collection of Dr. Frédéric Bauer, Kirchner’s doctor, who was also an important supporter and confident
• Spontaneous, atmospheric drawing with pleasant colour accents
• From the late period of the “Brücke” group, which dissolved in Berlin in 1913

In his early Berlin period, Kirchner was friends with a young Japanese artist with whom he worked a lot. The present sheet, which has a Japanese flair, was probably created under this influence. Kirchner was also inspired by Japonism, which was popular at the time, in his private life. The first important exhibition of works from the Far East took place in Munich in 1909 under the title “Japan and East Asia”. It is therefore not surprising that, in addition to the “Brücke” artists, other fellow travellers were also influenced by this style. Marianne Werefkin, Alexej von Jawlensky and Franz Marc also collected Japanese art. The woodcuts and miniature netsuke carvings in particular influenced the Expressionists. In the “Blauer Reiter” almanac published in mid-May 1912, for example, Japanese, non-European and folkloristic works were depicted. Kirchner combines personal impressions of his excursions with the contemporary style of Japonism.