[The art story.org](https://www.theartstory.org/artist/schmidt-rottluff-karl/) Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884–1976) was a key figure in German [[Expressionism]] and one of the founding members of [[Die Brücke]] (The Bridge), an artist collective established in 1905. Like his fellow members, Schmidt-Rottluff sought to break away from academic traditions, emphasizing raw emotion, bold color, and simplified forms in his art. His work is characterized by angular shapes, vibrant contrasts, and a powerful, often primitive energy. Influences and Contemporaries: • [[Ernst Ludwig Kirchner]], Erich Heckel, and Fritz Bleyl were among Schmidt-Rottluff’s close contemporaries and co-founders of [[Die Brücke]]. Together, they sought to revolutionize art by embracing spontaneity and directness, drawing inspiration from Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and non-Western art ([[Primitivism]]). They rejected traditional artistic conventions, creating work that was raw, intense, and emotionally expressive. • Edvard Munch and Vincent van Gogh were significant influences on Schmidt-Rottluff and other members of Die Brücke. Munch’s emotive [[Symbolism]] and van Gogh’s vivid colors and emotional brushwork helped shape the group’s approach to color and form. • Emil Nolde, though not an official member of Die Brücke, briefly worked with the group and shared their interest in intense color and emotional expression. Nolde’s influence on Schmidt-Rottluff is evident in the boldness and emotional depth of their work. • [[Max Pechstein]] was another important member of Die Brücke. While Pechstein eventually left the group, his work was aligned with Schmidt-Rottluff’s in terms of bold colors and expressive forms, though Pechstein was more interested in exoticism and Primitivist themes. Movements: • Expressionism: As one of the leading figures in Die Brücke, Schmidt-Rottluff was deeply embedded in the [[German Expressionist]] movement. His work often focused on emotional intensity, using exaggerated forms, stark contrasts, and a bold color palette to express subjective inner experiences and critiques of modern [[Society]]. • Primitivism: Like many of his peers, Schmidt-Rottluff was influenced by non-Western art, especially African and Oceanic art, which he saw as more authentic and unmediated by Western academic traditions. This influence is visible in his simplified forms and direct emotional impact. Schmidt-Rottluff’s legacy lies in his contribution to the early modernist shift in European art, moving towards abstraction and subjective expression. His exploration of color, form, and emotion would influence later generations of artists, particularly within the broader Expressionist and modernist movements. ![[Houses at Night.jpeg]] `Concepts:` [[Art]] `Knowledge Base:`