“Heckel however, reacted to the turbulent life of the metropolis [Berlin] with a retreat towards the private and a concentration on the human condition. His melancholy scenes from this time period are filled with resignation and world-weariness, such as his 1913 woodcut 'Liegende' (Reclining Woman). It depicts his significant other, and later wife, Siddi sleeping in what appears to be a seated position but on a flat surface. Combined with the red oval surrounding her, this has the effect of creating a sort of cocoon around her, especially since the rest of the image is rendered in black and white. The slashes outside of this cocoon shape make it seem like an external force attempting to disturb her. For the time being, she is protected by her red cocoon and seems to be in a deep sleep as judged by her slightly drooping mouth. Yet her environment is encroaching on her peace, mirroring the events of this time leading up to the first world war.”
“We saw your [ Cuno Amiet's ] work with feelings of admiration and enthusiasm.. .Our group [ Die Brücke ] would be exceedingly glad to find in you a comrade in arms and a champion of its cause.”
Erich Heckel
“I finished my first woodcut in Dresden in 1905 after the Xylographic art, cutting out of the hard boxwood the clean sketches with the slate pencil. Then followed the rounded iron, to arrive at the woo...”
Erich Heckel
“What we [Brücke-artists] had to remove ourselves from [the German bourgeois mores] was clear; where we were heading was certainly less clear. (original German: Wovon wir weg mussten, war uns klar. Woh...”
Erich Heckel
“..differences arose that hindered the publication of the 'Chronik' (written by Kirchner and brought us to the agreement of dissolving Die Brücke group.”
Erich Heckel
“Brücke will remain in the inner sense; only the outer organizational thing should be dissolved.”
Erich Heckel