Ernst Kirschner was a German expressionist painter and printmaker and one of the founders of the artists group Die Brücke or "The Bridge", a key group leading to the foundation of Expressionism in 20th-century art.

In 1898 Kirchner was impressed by the graphic art of Albrecht Dürer, another German artist who predated Kirchner by 400 years but remained one of his lifelong inspirations. Exposure to the Norwegian Expressionist painter Edvard Munch led Kirchner to simplify his forms and brighten his colors. His unique style as a painter and printmaker influenced future generations, to this day many artists try to emulate his expressive palette and distorted proportions.