Classic modern to contemporary art — Kunst-Auktion
Marc Chagall (Russian: Марк Заха́рович Шага́л), born Moishe Shagal in 1887 near Vitebsk, Belarus (then part of the Russian Empire), was a Belarusian and French artist celebrated for his pivotal role in the avant-garde movement and his unique integration of Eastern European Jewish culture into modern art. His contributions spanned several artistic formats including painting, stained glass, stage sets, ceramics, tapestries, and fine art prints. Chagall's early modernist tendencies were enriched by his experiences across Saint Petersburg, Paris, and Berlin before World War I, leading to a distinctive style that melded Cubism, Symbolism, and Fauvism with his Jewish heritage.
Chagall's work is recognized for its emotional depth, often exploring themes of love, memory, and Jewish folklore through vibrant colors and dreamlike imagery. Notably, art critic Robert Hughes described him as "the quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century," a sentiment echoed by art historian Michael J. Lewis who regarded Chagall as a significant figure within European modernism and as the world's preeminent Jewish artist of his time.
Among Chagall's famed contributions are his stained-glass windows for the cathedrals of Reims and Metz, the UN, and the Jerusalem Windows in Israel. His monumental paintings include parts of the ceiling of the Paris Opéra and works that explore biblical themes, a hallmark of his oeuvre that underscores his enduring engagement with spiritual and religious motifs.
For art collectors and antiques experts, Chagall's works are notable not only for their artistic innovation but also for their rich cultural and historical significance. His art is housed in many prestigious museums worldwide, including the Marc Chagall National Museum in Nice, France, which focuses on his works inspired by religion and houses the series of paintings illustrating the biblical message.
For those interested in exploring Chagall's legacy and the vibrant intersection of culture, art, and history his work represents, signing up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Marc Chagall can provide invaluable insights and opportunities. This is an invitation to engage more deeply with the world of art and culture that Chagall so uniquely encapsulated in his work.
Henri Matisse, a renowned French visual artist, was celebrated for his vibrant use of color and fluid, original draughtsmanship. Born on December 31, 1869, in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, Matisse initially pursued a career in law before turning to art. He first began painting in 1889, a change inspired by convalescence art supplies his mother provided. This marked the beginning of a journey that would see him become a leading figure in modern art.
Matisse's career is notable for its stylistic evolution yet consistent aim to capture the "essential character of things." His early works, characterized by intense colorism, earned him recognition as one of the Fauves, or "wild beasts." The period from 1908 to 1913 was marked by significant developments, with works like "Reclining Odalisque" and "The Red Studio" showcasing his mastery in balance and serenity. In the 1920s, his style evolved to more relaxed forms, with a focus on light, color, and decorative patterns in paintings like his odalisque series.
Matisse's exploration of various mediums, including sculpture and paper collage, reflects his innovative spirit. His later years were dominated by cut paper collages, as health challenges limited his ability to paint. These works, alongside his bold drawings and sculptures, cemented his status as a pioneer in visual art.
For collectors and art experts, Matisse's work remains a testament to creative evolution and expressive use of color and form. His masterpieces can be found in prominent museums and galleries worldwide, continuing to inspire and fascinate art enthusiasts.
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Fritz Schaefler was a German graphic artist. He was known for his expressionist paintings, drawings, and prints.
Schaefler studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and later taught at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. His early work was influenced by the German Expressionist movement, and he was associated with the group "Die Brücke" (The Bridge), which included other notable artists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Emil Nolde.
Schaefler's work is characterized by bold, vibrant colors and energetic brushstrokes. He often depicted landscapes, cityscapes, and still-life scenes, infusing them with a sense of emotion and vitality. He also produced a significant body of graphic work, including woodcuts and lithographs.
Schaefler's work was exhibited extensively during his lifetime, including at the Venice Biennale, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He was also awarded numerous honors and awards for his work.
Fritz Schaefler was a German graphic artist. He was known for his expressionist paintings, drawings, and prints.
Schaefler studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and later taught at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. His early work was influenced by the German Expressionist movement, and he was associated with the group "Die Brücke" (The Bridge), which included other notable artists such as Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Emil Nolde.
Schaefler's work is characterized by bold, vibrant colors and energetic brushstrokes. He often depicted landscapes, cityscapes, and still-life scenes, infusing them with a sense of emotion and vitality. He also produced a significant body of graphic work, including woodcuts and lithographs.
Schaefler's work was exhibited extensively during his lifetime, including at the Venice Biennale, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He was also awarded numerous honors and awards for his work.
Gustav Gildemeister was a German artist, a representative of the avant-garde movements of the early twentieth century.
He studied art at the Dusseldorf Academy, painted portraits and mainly landscapes in the styles that were actively developing at that time: German Art Nouveau, French Pointillism and late Impressionism. The artist was drafted during World War I and died at the front.
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, a prominent figure in the German Expressionist movement, was not just an artist but a pioneer who significantly influenced the early 20th-century art scene. Born in Rottluff, Germany, in 1884, he later added his hometown's name to his surname, showcasing a deep connection to his roots. Schmidt-Rottluff was a founding member of the artist group Die Brücke, which played a critical role in the development of Expressionism in Germany. His works, characterized by bold colors and stark contrasts, were a departure from traditional artistic expressions and embraced a more emotional and subjective interpretation of reality.
Schmidt-Rottluff's contributions to art were not limited to painting; he was also a master printmaker, with a significant body of work comprising woodcuts, lithographs, and etchings. His artistic endeavors were marked by a fascination with the natural world, social issues, and an exploration of human emotion, themes that remained consistent throughout his career. Despite facing persecution during the Nazi regime, with many of his works labeled as "degenerate," Schmidt-Rottluff's resolve did not waver. In 1937, 608 of his paintings were seized, and by 1941, he was forbidden to paint. Yet, his legacy continued to grow post-World War II, and he was later honored with professorship at the University of Arts in Berlin-Charlottenburg in 1947, where he influenced a new generation of artists.
The value and impact of Schmidt-Rottluff's work are reflected in the presence of his pieces in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, Neue Galerie, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and many others. His works are celebrated for their emotional depth, innovative use of color, and ability to convey complex themes through simplified forms. Notably, some of his significant pieces have been subjects of restitution efforts, highlighting the historical importance and continued relevance of his work in the context of art history and cultural heritage.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Schmidt-Rottluff's oeuvre offers a profound insight into the evolution of Expressionism and the broader cultural and political narratives of the early 20th century. His works not only serve as a testament to his individual genius but also as a reflection of the tumultuous era that shaped them.
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Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova (Russian: Ната́лья Серге́евна Гончаро́ва) was a pivotal Russian avant-garde artist, painter, costume designer, writer, illustrator, and set designer, celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to several art movements including Rayonism, Futurism, and Cubism. Born in Russia in 1881, Goncharova's artistic journey was marked by her vibrant exploration of Eastern and Western traditions, making her a leading figure in Russian modernism before she relocated to Paris in 1921, where she continued her artistic endeavors until her death in 1962.
Goncharova's work was distinguished by her engagement with the avant-garde, notably through her involvement with movements and groups such as Jack of Diamonds, Donkey's Tail, and Der Blaue Reiter. Her innovative approach blended Primitivism with Russian folk art (luboks), iconography, and modern European styles, making her work highly influential and controversial in its time. For instance, her series "Mystical Images of War" showcased her unique method of merging contemporary events with traditional forms.
Her later years in Paris were characterized by a continued pursuit of innovation, as evidenced by her designs for ballet costumes and sets, further cementing her legacy in the art world. Goncharova's collaborations with notable figures such as her partner Mikhail Larionov and her contributions to the Ballets Russes highlight her versatile talent and enduring influence on both Russian and French avant-garde art scenes.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Goncharova's work offers a rich exploration of avant-garde movements and the blending of cultural traditions. Her bold experimentation and pioneering spirit make her pieces highly sought after in the art community.
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Otto Mueller was a German artist of the first third of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter, graphic artist and printmaker, a representative of German Expressionism, a member of the artists' group "Bridge".
Otto Mueller is considered one of the most lyrical German expressionist painters. His work reflected the unity of man and nature, characterized by simplification of forms, colors and contours. He became famous for his paintings of nude bodies and gypsy women, because of his fascination with which the artist was once nicknamed "Gypsy Mueller".
Mueller preferred to work in tempera on rough canvas, creating a matte surface. His artistic legacy includes 172 works, including lithographs, woodcuts and etchings.
Dorothea Maetzel-Johannsen was a German modernist painter. She was a co-founder of the Hamburg Secession. Since 1919 she based her major expressionist works on the work of the dissolved Brücke (group of artists), early cubism and African sculpture.
Dorothea Maetzel-Johannsen has developed an individual mode of expression in Expressionism. Although her works feature the typical angular contours, two-dimensional concept of space and dynamic oblique compositions, unlike her peers, the artist refrained from any form of aggressiveness in her compositions. In her still life and figurative paintings, a contemplative mood resonates, contrary to the dynamic composition of the painting.
In 1937, Dorothea Maetzel-Johannsen's works were confiscated from the Kunsthalle Hamburg as part of the Nazi action "Degenerate Art" and then destroyed.
Adolf Uzarski was a German writer, painter and illustrator.
Trained as an architect, Adolf also graduated from the Düsseldorf School of Arts and Crafts, and exhibited his first Art Nouveau paintings. During the First World War he painted posters and postcards with patriotic content, during these years his anti-war lithograph series "Dance of Death" was published. In 1919 Adolf Uzarski became one of the founders of the avant-garde artists' association "Young Rhineland" in Düsseldorf, he became interested in Expressionism and the current in art "New Materiality".
Uzarski always opposed militarism, nationalism and anti-Semitism, and his art was caricatured and sharply satirical of bourgeois society. With the advent of the National Socialists in Germany in 1933, Adolf Uzarski was persecuted. For many years he had to live semi-clandestinely, in 1942 the Nazis condemned him as a degenerate artist and forbade him to paint, forcing him to flee to Belgium. At the end of World War II, Uzarski returned to Düsseldorf and continued his career.
From 1919, Adolf Uzarski began writing satirical novels, publishing a total of 10 volumes, as well as children's picture books.
Otto Rodewald is a German painter and graphic designer.
Rodewald studied at the Hamburg State Art School and participated in exhibitions. Rodewald traveled extensively, mostly in Europe and the Middle East; between 1929 and 1931 he lived in the Tunisian artists' village of Sidi Bou Said, where he was captivated by Eastern exoticism. His style can be categorized as magical realism and new objectivity. He also painted portraits in the Neo-Saxon style.
Otto Rodewald later co-founded the art club Die Insel and from 1928, after participating in several exhibitions, became a permanent member of the Hamburg Secession and a member of the Hamburg Artists' Association.
During the National Socialists' campaign against degenerate art in 1933, some of Rodewald's works were banned, but in order to survive, the artist continued to work with Hitler's government, fulfilling their commissions. After the end of World War II, the artist remained active until his death.
Aleksandra Andreevna Povorina (Russian: Александра Андреевна Поворина), married Ahlers-Hestermann, was a Russian and German modernist painter.
Aleksandra was born in the family of a St. Petersburg civil servant, in 1913 she went to Paris, where she studied at the Russian Academy of M. Vasilieva, joined the circle of artists of the Paris School, became interested in the art of Cézanne and Matisse. In Paris she met the artist from Hamburg Friedrich Ahlers-Hestermann (1883-1973), who became her husband. With the outbreak of World War I, the family moved to Hamburg.
Since 1915 the artist created semi-abstract paintings, participated in group exhibitions at the Commeter Gallery, was a member of the newly created Hamburg Secession with her husband. Under the influence of Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse, she developed a spiritual-abstract art.
In 1934, the National Socialists who came to power in Germany banned Aleksandra and Friedrich any activity, and abstract paintings Povorina were recognized as degenerate. At that time the artist took up textile design, creating abstract patterns for fabrics, at the same time a series of black and white graphic ink drawings were created. During the war, many of the artist's works were destroyed.
After the end of World War II, Aleksandra took a teaching position at the Weissensee Higher Art School in Berlin, creating abstract collages. After her death, her daughter, textile, mosaic and glass artist Tatjana Ahlers-Hestermann, completed some of her works.
Erich Wegner was a German artist. His work was heavily influenced by the expressionist movement, and he often depicted scenes of daily life in a bold and expressive style.
Wegner's paintings were characterized by their thick brushstrokes and vibrant colors, which conveyed a sense of energy and movement. He often painted urban scenes, such as street scenes and cityscapes, and also produced numerous portraits and still-life compositions.
During the Nazi regime in Germany, Wegner's work was deemed "degenerate" and he was forbidden to exhibit his art. Despite this, he continued to work in secret and later resumed exhibiting his work after the war.
Today, Wegner's work is held in collections around the world, including the National Gallery in Berlin and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Emil Maetzel was a German architect, painter, graphic artist and sculptor.
In 1919, Maetzel was a co-founder of the Hamburg Secession, an organisation promoting modern art in northern Germany. He was also a member of the November Group, an association of expressionist artists in Berlin.
Emil Maetzel was a German architect, painter, graphic artist and sculptor.
In 1919, Maetzel was a co-founder of the Hamburg Secession, an organisation promoting modern art in northern Germany. He was also a member of the November Group, an association of expressionist artists in Berlin.
Emil Maetzel was a German architect, painter, graphic artist and sculptor.
In 1919, Maetzel was a co-founder of the Hamburg Secession, an organisation promoting modern art in northern Germany. He was also a member of the November Group, an association of expressionist artists in Berlin.
Gabriele Daube is a German artist known for her cityscapes and still lifes.
Gabriele Daube's works are often characterized by bold colors and expressive brushwork. She drew inspiration from the natural world, including city and seascapes.
In addition to painting, Daube also worked as a graphic artist and illustrator.
Karl Hofer was a German expressionist painter. He was director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts.
One of the most prominent painters of expressionism, he never was a member of one of the expressionist painting groups, like "Die Brücke", but was influenced by their painters. His work was among those considered degenerate art by the Nazis, but after World War II he regained recognition as one of the leading German painters.
Hans Christiansen was a German painter, representative of classical modernism, decorator and illustrator.
Christiansen trained as a decorative painter in Flensburg and then at the School of Applied Arts in Munich, later studying at the Académie Julian in Paris. After a study trip to Italy in 1889, he moved to Hamburg, where he taught at the Technical University.
At the same time, Christiansen worked as a freelance decorative artist and was active in the Volkskunst-Verein, and was one of the founders and first residents of the Darmstadt artists' colony of the late 19th and early 20th century. Together with Josef Olbrich and Peter Behrens, he designed furniture, ceramics, tapestries, stained glass and graphic posters. He also designed his own house in the colony, which he called "Villa Rose," which was destroyed during World War II.
During this time, the versatile artist also wrote regularly for the magazine Jugend, creating many illustrations and covers. From 1911 he lectured at the Wiesbaden School of Arts and Crafts and was a member of the Wiesbaden Free Artists Association.
In 1933, Christiansen's work was banned by the Nazi Party of Germany because of his Jewish wife, and he was almost forgotten until his death in 1945.
Eduard Caspar Hopf was a German classical modernist painter.
From 1915 to 1920 he studied jewellery making in his hometown. In 1923 he moved to Hamburg and began working as a free artist. A year later he had his first solo exhibition.
The Nazis regarded some of his works as "degenerate", and in 1937 three of his watercolours were ostentatiously confiscated from the Hamburg Museum of Art. However, in 1942 he was able to participate in the Great German Art Exhibition in Munich, and after a major air raid on Lübeck on 28/29 March 1942, he made some 100 chalk drawings of the ruined city on commission from the NSDAP.
After the end of the war, he taught at the Hamburg University of Fine Arts from 1947 to 1957. In the following period he created various frescoes and reliefs. In 1950 he joined the Hamburg Artists' Association.
Ivo Hauptmann was a German painter. He was one of the founders of the artist groups Freie Secession (Berlin 1914) and Hamburgische Sezession (1919).
Ivo Hauptmann was a German painter. He was one of the founders of the artist groups Freie Secession (Berlin 1914) and Hamburgische Sezession (1919).
