Kirchner: The Tormented Genius -- Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, in 1880. He studied architecture in Dresden and in 1905 was a cofounder of an expressionist group, Die Brücke, which was disbanded in 1913. The artist moved to Berlin in 1911, and it was there that his body of work reached its zenith. His highly personal paintings were noted for their sharp, vivid colors, their eroticism, and their psychological tension.
Physically and mentally scarred by his confrontation with Berlin and his experiences in military service, he tried several sanatoriums before deciding on Davos in 1917. First on the Stafelalp, later in the house In den Lärchen, and finally on the Wildboden, he produced a unique body of work. In Nazi Germany in 1936, his paintings were withdrawn from museums and labeled "degenerate art." As a result of the defamation of his character and his oeuvre, he fell into a deep depression that ended in suicide in 1938. His grave and that of his longtime companion, Erna, are located in the Davos forest cemetery.
For a look at this artist and his work, visit the Davos Kirchner Museum, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Platz (tel. 081/413-22-02; www.kirchnermuseum.ch). Entrance to the museum is 10F ($8.20/£4.25) for adults, 8F ($6.55/£3.40) for seniors, and 5F ($4.10/£2.15) for children. From Christmas to Easter and mid-July to September, it's open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm; the rest of the year, Tuesday to Sunday from 2 to 6pm.
