When did Expressionism emerge as a distinct artistic movement in Germany?

Expressionism emerged as a distinct artistic movement in Germany around 1905, marking the beginning of its principal wave. This development was initiated by a group of artists who formed a loose association known as Die Brücke ("The Bridge"), led by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.1

While the movement's roots can be traced back to the late 19th-century works of artists like Vincent van Gogh and Edvard Munch, who moved away from literal representation to explore subjective states of mind, the formal German movement solidified with the formation of Die Brücke. These artists sought to reject the perceived superficiality of academic Impressionism in favor of a more spontaneous, elemental, and emotionally charged style.1