Reclining Woman in a White Chemise, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
Reclining Woman in a White Chemise
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Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Reclining Woman in a White Chemise, ca. 1909


Dimensions
95.0 x 121.0 cm
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Inventory Number
SG 1123R
Acquisition
Acquired in 1950 as a gift from Fritz Hagemann
Status
On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 11

Texts

About the Work

This alluring woman reclining teasingly on a sofa is Kirchner’s Dresden lover, Doris Grosse. As if the erotic gesture were meaningless, her hand rests erotically on her pudenda. The fresh, colourful palette and the loose brushwork enhance the sensuousness of this early depiction. The painting of the scene appears spontaneous but had been carefully prepared with an underdrawing. Kirchner did not rely on professional models, choosing instead to paint friends and lovers in his studio, which also served as a living room and study.

About the Acquisition

The important collection of Expressionist art owned by the chemist Carl Hagemann (1867-1940) was formed from the beginning of the twentieth century in close exchange with the artists - even during the period when they were being vilified by the National Socialists. After Hagemann's death in 1940, his collection was secretly evacuated together with the Städel's own collection to protect it from war damage. In gratitude for this hazardous but successful effort, Hagemann's heirs donated over 1000 prints and drawings to the Städel in 1948. Further generous donations were made over the course of several decades.

Audio

  • Basic information
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Work Data

Basic Information

Title
Reclining Woman in a White Chemise
Painter
Front
Nude Woman at window
Period Produced
School
Object Type
Physical Description
Oil on canvas
Material
Technique
Work Catalogues
  • Gordon 1968, Nr. 725v

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Administration
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Acquired in 1950 as a gift from Fritz Hagemann

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre
Main Motif
Persons Shown

Iconclass

Primary
  • 61BB2(GROSSE, Doris)11 historical person (GROSSE, Doris) - BB - woman - historical person (GROSSE, Doris) portrayed alone
  • 31AA2364 lying on one side, with uplifted upper part of the body and leaning on the arm - AA - female human figure
Secondary

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Last update

15.05.2023