The artwork, titled “Girl Under a Japanese Parasol,” was created by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1909. It is an oil on canvas within the realm of Expressionism, measuring 92.5 by 80.5 centimeters. The genre of this piece is categorized as a nude painting, and it is currently held at the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The artwork features a female figure reclined and partially covered by a large, ornate parasol that is rendered in vibrant tones, imparting a feeling of exoticism and leisure. The use of bright, non-naturalistic colors is characteristic of the Expressionist movement, seeking to express an inner emotional reality rather than an external one. The figure’s body is depicted with broad, sweeping brushstrokes that convey volume and movement, while her features are rendered with stark contrasts and a somewhat abstracted style. The background is ambiguous, providing a stark contrast to the sharply delineated figure and parasol, which dominate the composition. This painting is an example of Kirchner’s exploration of color, form, and the emotional resonance of the human figure within the context of Expressionism.
