Selbstbildnis

September 1914

Volunteers for the First World War

In September 1914, at the outbreak of the First World War, Kirchner volunteered for military service.

July 1915

Driver training in Halle and discharge

In July 1915 Kirchner was sent to Halle an der Saale to train as a driver in the reserve unit of the 75th Mansfeld Field Artillery Regiment; after a mental breakdown his riding instructor, Professor Hans Fehr, arranged for Kirchner’s discharge from service.

summer 1917

The Reusch Hut on the Stafelalp

Resenting Dr. Spengler’s constant watch and doing all he could to deceive him, Kirchner moved to the Reusch Hut on the Stafelalp in the summer of 1917; Erna Schilling stayed in Berlin, looking after the apartment and studio and keeping up commercial and personal contacts in Germany.

1918

Moves to the “In den Lärchen” farm in Davos

In 1918 Kirchner received a residence permit and moved to the “In den Lärchen” farm above Längmatte in Davos — first renting a room in the upper hut, and in 1919 the rooms above — and furnished it with furniture he carved himself; he wrote to Henry van de Velde of a beautiful old Grisons house with a kitchen like Rembrandt’s studio.

1923

A large exhibition in Basel

In 1923 Kirchner organised a large exhibition of his work in Basel.

1923

Moves to the Wildboden house

In 1923 Kirchner moved to the Wildboden house, which looked over Frauenkirch and the Stafelalp on one side and Davos on the other; these landscapes became subjects of many of his paintings. In his diary he called the house a joy and a turning point of his life.