Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s “Staberhof Farm on Fehmarn I,” created in 1913, is an oil on canvas expressionist portrayal of the Staberhof Farm on the island of Fehmarn, captured in Kirchner’s distinctive cityscape genre. The painting embodies the Expressionist movement with its vivid contrasts and emotional intensity.
The artwork presents a night scene with deep, blue tones dominating the background, suggesting either late evening or early night. The farm, highlighted in yellow, stands out with a warm glow against the cool blue sky. Shadows and architectural details are rendered with broad, visible brushstrokes, giving the image a somewhat abstract and distorted appearance, characteristic of Expressionism. This movement often emphasized the expression of emotional experience over physical reality. Two small figures can be seen near the center bottom of the piece, adding a human element to the otherwise quiet and still environment. The brushwork is energetic and somewhat agitated, further emphasizing the emotional undercurrent of the scene. Birds flying in the night sky add a dynamic component to the otherwise static architecture, possibly suggesting life and movement beyond the immediate stillness of the farm setting.
