Selbstbildnis (Self-Portrait) or Street Scene with Profile
Work on paper / Drawing • Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (German, 1880–1938)
Style & Movement
German Expressionist (Die Brücke) transitioning into later Davos period
Medium & Technique
Watercolor, gouache, and India ink over graphite on paper
Creation Period
circa 1920-1925
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 40 cm; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A multilayered composition featuring a prominent profile of the artist in the foreground superimposed over a bustling street scene with figures and architecture. The work utilizes non-naturalistic color, an elongated facial structure, and fractured space to convey psychological intensity and urban alienation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible light toning of the paper and slight undulation consistent with aqueous media on paper.
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $350,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$180,000 - $250,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from the artist's estate (Nachlass stamp often found on verso); subsequent private collections or German gallery provenance (e.g., Ketterer Kunst).
Art Historical Significance
Kirchner was a leader of 'Die Brücke' and a pioneer of Modernism. His self-portraits are central to his oeuvre, documenting his shifting psychological state and evolving style from the jagged Berlin years to the more structured Davos period. This piece represents his mastery of graphic media.
Notable Features
Signature or initials often found top center or on verso; distinctive 'angular' brushwork and the use of vibrant, clashing colors (pink, green, yellow) typical of Kirchner's palette.
Condition Issues
Minor adhesive residue on verso from previous mounting, slight yellowing from UV exposure, and potential minor foxing near the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional hinging with acid-free materials; UV-filtering museum glass; display in low-light conditions (below 50 lux) to prevent pigment fading.
Collector Notes
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner