Lyonel Feininger’s Famous Work: Green Bridge (1909)

Lyonel Feininger, one of the greatest artistic figure of twentieth century avant-garde art practices, the founding member of Bauhaus art School, has contributed immensely to the twentieth century art. One of his paintings is still revered among the art circle and it won’t be an overstatement to call it his magnum opus, if not one of them. Lyonel Feininger’s early tendencies and ideas that initiated him to be the artist that he later became, can be explored through this particular piece of art titled “Green Bridge” which he produced during 1909. Lyonel Feininger’s journey was initiated with the “Green Bridge” and this work has made his entry into the Fauve paintings. The painting by Lyonel Feininger is a truly remarkable piece and has an enormous significance to the oeuvre of Lyonel Feininger. Explore “Green Bridge” by Lyonel Feininger as well as other masterpieces by the painter and if you like it buy Lyonel Feininger’s paintings online.

“Green Bridge,” (1909), Oil on Canvas - Private Collection

The description of the artwork, “Green Bridge”: The work that denotes his early cartoon creations, showcase a combination both his cartooning experience alongside his avant-garde tendencies and credentials. The work specially depicts the many ‘types’ of people that the artist might have come across and that he had caricatured. Lyonel Feininger places these caricatures into a setup of distorted architecture in which he suggests Cubists faceting alongside the very Fauvist color-schemes. Through his works he attempts to combine these many expressive elements while he creates a unique atmosphere of a mystique and mysterious space within the ideas of urbanity and isolation.

Analysis: With “Green Bridge” Lyonel Feininger made a memorable debut into the Salon des Indépendants in Paris in the year 1911. The work reveals a exquisite combination of avant-garde radicalism and cartooning quirks. The large green bridge that he showcases in the artwork over a street lined up with buildings that he has painted in red in a contrast to the bridge. The two colors create a sense of unrest and unease implying a tension. He paints some of the figures on the streets, a somber group including workers, children, sailors, prostitutes. These people down the bridge are all unaware that they are being watched from two top-hatted men standing on the bridge. Check out the painting by Lyonel Feininger online. Lyonel Feininger’s paintings present his audiences with a very different feeling that is native to his art. If you like his art buy Lyonel Feininger’s paintings online.

“Green Bridge” uses the colors in a non-descriptive way that has leaded the painting to be included in a room full of Fauve paintings by the Salon’s hanging committee. Legend has it, according to one apocryphal story told by Robert Delaunay, once Matisse arrived at the venue to hang one of his works in the same room where Lyonel Feininger’s “Green Bridge” was hung. Matisse examined the painting by Feininger for some time and then he decided to leave to "work over his painting before he would let it stand comparison." It really is a question whether this has truly happened or not but irrespective of the fact, Lyonel Feininger’s paintings were admired among the art circuit and was praised with a number of contemporary reviews. He painted the painting’s second version in 1916. 

The painting is now included in the collection of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Lyonel Feininger’s journey has been indicated with the very painting. “Green Bridge” held immense potential for the painter. See how the painting created in the early days of twentieth century changed the path for its creator. Explore his paintings and if you like them, buy Lyonel Feininger’s paintings online.