TExES Art EC-12 Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Expressionism is an art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by a focus on representing emotional experiences rather than physical reality. The central tenet of Expressionism is to convey intense feelings and personal emotions through art. This can manifest in exaggerated forms, vivid colors, and dynamic compositions that reflect the artist's subjective experience.

In Expressionist artworks, the emotional reaction of the artist and the intended emotional response from the viewer take precedence over realistic depictions. Artists often prioritize feelings of anxiety, joy, anguish, or other intense emotions over the accurate representation of the subject's physical characteristics, historical context, or geometric forms.

Therefore, when considering what Expressionism primarily focuses on, the emotional reaction is the key aspect, as it allows viewers to engage with artworks on a deeper, more visceral level, making the emotions felt by the artist resonate with their own experiences.