Ernst Ludwig Kirchner was a German artist and is considered one of the most important representatives of Expressionism. As a co-founder of the artist group Die Brücke, he shaped modern art with his distinctive visual language. His works, including Berlin Street Scene and Self-Portrait as a Soldier, reflect the vibrant urban life as well as inner conflicts and emotions. Despite achieving artistic success during his lifetime, his work came under pressure during the Nazi era and was labeled as "degenerate art." Today, Kirchner is regarded as one of the most influential German Expressionists.