Expressionism

Expression is the way artists use exaggeration of colours and lines for emotional effect. Although Expressionism is the name applied to this style, there has never been a movement that has distinctively called itself "expressionism". All artists can be classed as expressive, but expressionist paintings have heavy emphasis on the communication that the emotion of the paining gives to the audience.

Expressionism first arrived in the early twentieth century, and is exhibited in numerous art forms, including painting, literature, film, architecture, theatre, and music.

The term is mainly applied to 20th century works, but artists such as Matthias Grünewald and El Greco can also be called expressionist. However, Expressionism is mainly associated with early Germany, with the main artists including Lionel Feininger, August Macke, Max Beckmann and George Grosz.