Expressionist
The body as vehicle for emotional truth. Distortion, gesture, and intensity over beauty.
Historical Context
German Expressionism (1910s-1920s) used distortion and intensity to express inner psychological states. In photography, the expressionist impulse manifests as gestural energy, grain, and the embrace of imperfection.
Defining Characteristics
- Emotional intensity over beauty
- Gestural energy
- Deliberate imperfection
- Psychological presence
- Distortion as expression
Reference Artists
- Diane Arbus
- Lisette Model
- Bill Brandt
- Andre Kertesz
Works in this style
