Expressionism Art History Posters & Prints, “A...-J...-”
for history of art and social studies classrooms.

Max Beckmann
Erich Heckel

Johannes Itten

The Loge, 1928, Max Beckmann, Art Print

Max Beckmann
b. 2-12-1884; Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
d. 12-28-1950; NYC

Painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer Max Beckmann is remembered for his search of “Self” through self-portraits painted throughout his life and study of mysticism and theosophy. Beckman rejected the Expressionist label, calling it “introverted emotionalism.”

Beckman was one of the artists called “degenerate” by Hilter, having his work confiscated and destroyed.

Bluhende Zweige, 1905, Erich Heckel, Art Print

Erich Heckel
b. 7-31-1883; Döbeln, Saxony, Germany
d. 1-27-1970; Radolfzell

Painter and printmaker Erich Heckel was a founding member of the Die Brücke group (“The Bridge”) which existed 1905-1913. Heckel was declared degenerate by the Nazi's and all his woodcut blocks and print plates, his life's work, were destroyed.

• trees posters

Johannes Itten
b. 11-11-1888; Südern-Linden, Switzerland
d. 5-27-1967; Zurich

Expressionist painter Johannes Itten was also a teacher associated with the Weimar Bauhaus from 1919-1922.

Itten is also known for his color studies.

Johannes Itten quotes ~
• “If you, unknowing, are able to create masterpieces in color, then unknowledge is your way. But if you are unable to create masterpieces in color out of your unknowledge, then you ought to look for knowledge.”
• “Colors are primordial ideas, children of the aboriginal colorless light and its counterpart, colorless darkness ... Light, that first phenomenon of the world, reveals to us the spirit and the living soul of the world through colors.”
• “Learning from books and teachers is like traveling by carriage, so we are told in the Veda. But, the carriage will serve only while one is on the highroad. He who reaches the end of the highroad will leave the carriage and walk afoot.”
• “He who wishes to become a master of color must see, feel, and experience each individual color in its endless combinations with all other colors.”
• “Only those who love color are admitted to its beauty and immanent presence. It affords utility to all, but unveils its deeper mysteries only to its devotees.”
• “The objective laws of form and color help to strengthen a person's powers and to expand his creative gift.”

• The Elements of Color

Alexej von Jawlensky
b. 3-13-1864; Torzhok, Russia
d. 3-15-1941; Wiesbaden, Germany

Expressionist painter Alexej von Jawlensky was a key member of the New Munich Artist's Association (Neue Künstlervereinigung München), Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) group and later the Die Blaue Vier (The Blue Four).

• dancers posters