The Mystery of Matter: Kirchner, Heckel, Schmidt-Rottluff

This catalog was published to coincide with the exhibition "The Mysteries of Material: Kirchner, Heckel and Schmidt-Rottluff" held at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt in 2019.

The exhibition focused on "wood" as a crucial material in German Expressionism, particularly in the work of the artists' group "Brücke." It traced how Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff developed their expression between woodcut and wood sculpture.

"Brücke" was an artists' group formed in Dresden in 1905. The name, meaning "bridge," symbolized their desire to connect past and future art, or established values and new expressions. Moving away from academic realism and refined forms, they sought to express urban tension, physical power, natural impulses, and primitive vitality through strong lines and simplified forms. They played a significant role in shaping German Expressionism in the early 20th century.

For Brücke, woodcut was an important medium of expression. The grain, hardness, color, and unevenness of wood—the resistance and serendipity of the material—were deeply intertwined with their rough, powerful lines, forms, and compositions. Instead of drawing smoothly with a brush, they carved, scraped, and printed wood. This direct action brought rawness, urgency, and tension to their expression.

In addition to woodcuts, they also created carved figures, heads, and reliefs. This book examines the interdependent relationship between two and three dimensions, printing and sculpture, image and material, by viewing woodcuts, printing blocks, and sculptures side by side.

The featured works are primarily from the collection of Carl Hagemann, an art patron from Frankfurt, held by the Städel Museum. Approximately 100 woodcuts, printing blocks, and sculptures are included, unraveling the interrelationship between printing techniques, materials, and sculptural forms. This exhibition catalog is a valuable resource for studying German Expressionism, Brücke, woodcuts, and modern sculpture.

[Title] Geheimnis der Materie: Kirchner, Heckel, Schmidt-Rottluff (The Mysteries of Material: Kirchner, Heckel, Schmidt-Rottluff)
[Publisher] Sandstein Verlag
[Publication Date] June 26, 2019
[Page Count] 295 pages
[Size] Approx. 232 x 280 x 27 mm / 1520g
[Format] Softcover
[Language] German
[Title Reading] GEHAIMNIS DEA MATERIE
[Author/Editor] Regina Freyberger/Editor & Curator
[Printing] -
[ISBN] 9783954984701
[Condition] Used [7] Very Good (slight fold on corner)
[Accessories] -
[Featured In] -
[Related Exhibition] "The Mysteries of Material: Kirchner, Heckel and Schmidt-Rottluff" (Städel Museum, 2019)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938)

Born in Germany. Painter, printmaker.

In 1905, he co-founded the artists' group "Brücke" in Dresden with Erich Heckel, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, and others. Through woodcuts, paintings, sculptures, and other media, he spearheaded German Expressionism in the early 20th century.

Erich Heckel (1883-1970)

Born in Germany. Painter, printmaker.

Participated in the founding of "Brücke" in 1905. He created woodcuts, oil paintings, and drawings, expressing figures, landscapes, cities, and the human body with powerful lines and clear compositions.

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976)

Born in Germany. Painter, printmaker.

Participated in the founding of "Brücke" in 1905. He made woodcuts a significant medium of expression, leaving behind works representative of German Expressionism through simplified forms and strong colors that harnessed the power of the material.

< Related Figures >

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Brücke, Carl Hagemann, Städel Museum