The artwork “Child and Large Bird” was created by the artist Emil Nolde in 1912. This oil on canvas measures 73 by 88 centimeters and belongs to the Expressionism movement. It is categorized as a symbolic painting and is presently housed at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen. The artwork captures a vivid depiction that employs bold colors and dynamic brushstrokes characteristic of the Expressionist style.
In the artwork, the dynamic interplay between the subjects—a child and a large bird—is apparent. The child, displayed in profile, exhibits a pronounced red cap-like hair and an orange-illuminated face against a dark background, creating a striking visual contrast. The large bird, imposing in its stance and scale in relation to the child, seems to embody a deep, brooding presence; its feathers are rendered in dark hues that blend with the darkness of the background, while the bird’s contour is delineated by robust, expressive strokes. The figures are set against a dramatic, moody sky, adding to the overall intensity and emotional depth of the scene. The handling of form and color emphasizes a sense of emotional expressiveness over realistic depiction, which is at the heart of the Expressionist movement.
