Self-Portrait

1906

A turn from Impressionism to religious subjects

In 1906 Nolde, who had grown up in a small religious community near the German-Danish border and had read the whole Bible, turned from an Impressionist manner to religious subjects stressing the emotion of the moment, bright colours and two-dimensionality; in his early religious works (1900–1904) he had not yet found his own style and followed models such as Millet and Daumier.

1906–1907

Meets Edvard Munch

During his time with Die Brücke Nolde met Edvard Munch.

1906–1907

A short association with Die Brücke

In 1906 the Dresden Expressionist group Die Brücke invited Nolde to join, but his association with it lasted only until the end of the following year.

1909

Poisoned water: a brush with death

In 1909, at the age of forty-two, Nolde nearly died after drinking poisoned water; the experience hastened his turn to religious painting.

1910

Expelled from the Berlin Secession

In 1910, after a disagreement with the leadership, Nolde was expelled from the Berlin Secession, of which he had been a member since 1908.

1910–1912

First success at exhibitions in Hamburg, Essen and Hagen

In 1910–12 Nolde had his first success at exhibitions in Hamburg, Essen and Hagen.