Excited People is a painting created by Emil Nolde, a German-Danish painter and printmaker who is considered as one of the leading expressionist artists. The piece depicts a genre scene of people displaying various emotions with bold brushwork and vibrant hues that characterize his expressionist style. Nolde’s use of vivid colors in this 1913 painting captures the intense emotional state of the figures in it, heightening the tension in this enigmatic composition.
Nolde was a member of Die Brücke, one of the early groups that embraced Expressionism as an art movement. Although he distanced himself from organized art groups and was perceived as an isolated figure in modern art due to his controversial views on religion, politics, and society. His work often featured characters with exaggerated physicality delicately painted to reflect their inner psychological state.
Excited People was condemned by Nazi party leaders for being part of what they labeled “Degenerate Art.” Despite initially supporting them, Nolde became ostracized when his paintings were deemed unsuitable for exhibition because they deviated from Nazi’s ideology on what constituted true Germanic art allowing his artwork banned from display.
Today, Emil Nolde’s work has gained acclaim worldwide through numerous gallery exhibitions featuring pieces like Excited People showcasing his mastery over color usage which makes him remain one of history’s significant artists.
