The artwork titled “Half-Naked Woman with a Hat,” painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1911, is an oil on canvas that belongs to the Expressionism movement. This piece, categorized within the genre of nude painting (nu), is currently housed at the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany.
The artwork depicts a half-naked woman adorned with a prominent, dark hat that contrasts starkly against her pale, exposed upper body. The color palette primarily consists of bold blue hues in the background, creating a vivid contrast with the subject’s skin tones. The brushstrokes are expressive and vigorous, characteristic of Kirchner’s style, emphasizing emotional intensity over realistic representation. The woman’s angular features and the flat planes of color highlight the Expressionist quest to convey inner experience rather than external reality. Her composed demeanor juxtaposes with the dynamic brushwork and vibrant colors, evoking a sense of deliberate tension and introspection. The attire and posture of the woman, coupled with the apparent rawness of the execution, make this piece a striking example of early 20th-century Expressionist art.