Max Pechstein quotes

Max Pechstein was a German expressionist painter and printmaker, known for his bold colors and dynamic compositions. As a prominent member of the art group "Die Brücke," his works helped define early 20th-century German modernism. He played a key role in shaping the direction of European avant-garde art. Here are 14 of his quotes:

I was commissioned [in 1906] to do a ceiling-painting and an altar painting for the Saxon pavilion at the third German Arts and Crafts exhibition... I varied my tulips. But when I went in before the opening I was horrified to see that the fiery red had been toned down with streaks of grey... I gave furious vent to my feelings. Suddenly there was someone at my side, seconding my vituperation. It was Erich Heckel.... joyfully we discovered our total accord in the drive towards liberation, an art which charged forwards, unimpeded by conventions. And that was how I joined Die Brücke. (Max Pechstein)
It is the sure certainty of having found unity with nature, this calm causes one of the strongest experiences. View quote
Max Pechstein
A new day. Calm as seldom the beginning of such a one. Did I dream? No! Dream and contented pure was the night.. View quote
Max Pechstein
We desire to achieve to the socialist republic not only the recovery of the conditions of art, but also the beginning of a unified artistic area for our time. View quote
Max Pechstein
Contented sleep releases the limbs. We await full moon. Await the dance! View quote
Max Pechstein
What a variety of shapes exists in the lithograph when one prepares the stone for printing, etches it, and prints oneself. Above all, one must do the printing oneself! View quote
Max Pechstein
In 1907 I was most strongly influenced by Giotto during my first Italian trip, as well as by Etruscan sculpture and the early Etruscan landscape painting in the Vatican library in Rome. View quote
Max Pechstein
It was and still is fundamental: to begin the work with the same tools with which it will be ended, without making a preliminary drawing. on the wood, stone, or metal. Sketches and drawings done in advance clarify the intention, and with it ready in the head, the requisite tool realizes the idea. View quote
Max Pechstein
.. the unrelenting Berlin forced each one of us to struggle through on the most individual paths, so that our communal living [of 'Brücke', in 1913] fell apart. In addition, the knowledge of the individual members had developed so far that the individual form differed, although the overall goal of the group remained the same. View quote
Max Pechstein
We [the artists of Die Brücke ] were overjoyed to discover our complete unison in the urge for liberation, for an art surging forward, unrestricted by convention. View quote
Max Pechstein
Now I drew as wildly during my tramps [during his walks through the Saxonian countryside] as I has fought before. (Max Pechstein)
Man, air, trees, world are laid bare and are one! View quote
Max Pechstein
I would like to express my longing for happy experiences. I do not want us to be for ever regretting. Art has been and remains the part of my life that brings me happiness. View quote
Max Pechstein
When we met in Berlin [1910], I arranged with Heckel and Kirchner that the three of us would go and work together on the lakes of Moritzburg near Dresden. We had long been familiar with the region, and we knew that we would have the opportunity tp paint nudes in the open air without interference... We had to find two or three people who were not professional models and would therefore pose for us without falling into studio routines.... we artists set out early every morning, laden with our equipment, followed by the models with bags full of good things toe at and drink. We lived in complete harmony, we worked and went swimming.... each of us [three] executed a great number of paintings and drawings. View quote
Max Pechstein