Albert Bloch: Pioneer of Expressionism and the Lone American Voice in Der Blaue Reiter Albert Bloch (August 2, 1882 – March 23, 1961) stands as a singular figure in the annals of modernist art—the sole American artist to participate in Der Blaue Reiter (“The Blue Rider”), a seminal German Expressionist collective that irrevocably shaped the artistic landscape of the early 20th century. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bloch’s formative years instilled within him an appreciation for both meticulous craftsmanship and profound psychological exploration—influences that would permeate his entire oeuv…