The artwork titled “Circus Rider” was created by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1914 using oil on canvas. It belongs to the art movement known as Expressionism and is classified as a genre painting. The dimensions of the artwork are 200.7 by 151 centimeters and it is located in the Saint Louis Art Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
The artwork depicts a dynamic and vibrant scene from a circus, rendered in expressive and intense brushstrokes characteristic of the Expressionist movement. The central figure is an equestrian rider, dressed in dark attire with a tall hat, riding a dark horse with sharp, fluid lines that convey movement and energy. Surrounding the rider are other figures, possibly circus performers, and spectators, some of whom are clapping or observing the performance. The background is a swirling mixture of earth-toned colors, providing depth and a sense of enclosed space filled with excitement and motion. The overall composition captures the lively and frenetic atmosphere of the circus, emphasizing emotional experience over realistic representation.
