Expressionism

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/expressionism

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the artistic movement?A modernist avant-garde movement that originated in Germany
2. What is the peak period?Roughly 1905 to 1920
3. Why did Expressionist artists paint their feelings instead of what they saw?They felt that naturalism and Impressionism didn’t capture the deep, sometimes scary feelings of modern life. They wanted to show anxiety, joy, and spiritual thoughts.
4. How do Expressionist paintings look different from other styles?Expressionist paintings use distorted shapes, exaggerated angles, and bright, clashing colors that don’t match real life. This shows the artist’s inner world.

Avant-garde: New and experimental ideas and methods in art, music, or literature.
Mimesis: The artistic imitation or representation of the real world.
Subjectivity: Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.
Psychological Depth: The exploration and representation of complex inner emotions and mental states.