Woodcut — Auction
Conrad Felixmüller was a twentieth-century German artist, born Conrad Felix Müller. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, illustrator and printmaker, a representative of the New Materiality movement, who worked in the Expressionist style.
Felixmüller created about 2,500 paintings and graphic drawings, the main motif of which was the human being. The artist considered himself a socially critical expressionist, and his works reflected scenes from everyday life. In the 1930s, many of his works were confiscated by the Nazis as examples of degenerate art and destroyed. As a result of the bombing of Berlin in 1944, Felixmüller lost much of his work.
Josef Scharl is a German and American painter, illustrator, and graphic designer.
Scharl trained as a decorative painter at the Munich Art School, where he also gained practical experience in painting restoration. He was wounded in the war, and after returning to Munich, he continued his studies at the Kunstakademie. In the 1920s Josef Scharl joined the artist groups New Munich Secession and Juryfreien, successfully participated in their exhibitions, and later became acquainted with the Impressionists.
Writing in the New Objectivity style, Josef Scharl was forced to emigrate to the United States in 1939, and 1944-46 marked the peak of his fame in the United States. He was also commissioned by the publisher Pantheon Books to illustrate the Grimm brothers' fairy tales and other books.
Max Beckmann, a German painter, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, stood out in the early 20th century for his profound contributions to modern art. Beckmann's career spanned a tumultuous period in history, deeply influencing his thematic and stylistic choices. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced non-representational painting, Max Beckmann persisted with and evolved the tradition of figurative painting, drawing inspiration from a wide array of artists spanning from Cézanne and Van Gogh to medieval masters like Bosch and Bruegel.
Max Beckmann's experiences, particularly those related to the World Wars, significantly shaped his work. Following Adolf Hitler's rise to power and the subsequent condemnation of modern art as "degenerate," Beckmann fled Germany, spending a decade in self-imposed exile in Amsterdam before eventually relocating to the United States. His art from this period, especially his large triptychs, is considered some of his most potent, offering a stark reflection on humanity and the chaos of the times.
One of Max Beckmann's most personally allegorical works, "Beginning" (1949), encapsulates his knack for blending real and imagined elements from his life to comment on the broader human condition. This piece, alongside others, underscores Beckmann's enduring fascination with the existential struggles modern society faces, teetering between desire and societal roles.
Max Beckmann's legacy is cemented not just by his unique approach to modernism but also by his influence on subsequent generations of artists, particularly in the United States, where he spent his final years teaching and working. Despite a path that often diverged from the mainstream narratives of art history, Beckmann's work continues to resonate, housed in prestigious institutions like The Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Max Beckmann's oeuvre offers a compelling exploration of 20th-century art and history. To stay informed about new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Max Beckmann, consider signing up for updates. This subscription ensures access to the latest opportunities to engage with the work of one of modernism's most individual voices.
Jean Arp, born Hans Peter Wilhelm Arp, was a German and French poet, painter, graphic artist and sculptor. one of the founders of the Dada movement in Zurich.
Arp used abstract forms in his work and experimented with different materials such as wood, metal and stone. He was also known for his poetic works, in which he applied a method of randomly selecting words, called the "clutter method". Arp believed that this method helped him express his thoughts more precisely and originally. Arp's influence on the arts is still significant today.
Ewald Wilhelm Hubert Mataré was a German painter and sculptor, who dealt with, among other things, the figures of men and animals in a stylized form.
Ewald Wilhelm Hubert Mataré was a German painter and sculptor, who dealt with, among other things, the figures of men and animals in a stylized form.
Ewald Wilhelm Hubert Mataré was a German painter and sculptor, who dealt with, among other things, the figures of men and animals in a stylized form.
Ewald Wilhelm Hubert Mataré was a German painter and sculptor, who dealt with, among other things, the figures of men and animals in a stylized form.
Max Beckmann, a German painter, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, stood out in the early 20th century for his profound contributions to modern art. Beckmann's career spanned a tumultuous period in history, deeply influencing his thematic and stylistic choices. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced non-representational painting, Max Beckmann persisted with and evolved the tradition of figurative painting, drawing inspiration from a wide array of artists spanning from Cézanne and Van Gogh to medieval masters like Bosch and Bruegel.
Max Beckmann's experiences, particularly those related to the World Wars, significantly shaped his work. Following Adolf Hitler's rise to power and the subsequent condemnation of modern art as "degenerate," Beckmann fled Germany, spending a decade in self-imposed exile in Amsterdam before eventually relocating to the United States. His art from this period, especially his large triptychs, is considered some of his most potent, offering a stark reflection on humanity and the chaos of the times.
One of Max Beckmann's most personally allegorical works, "Beginning" (1949), encapsulates his knack for blending real and imagined elements from his life to comment on the broader human condition. This piece, alongside others, underscores Beckmann's enduring fascination with the existential struggles modern society faces, teetering between desire and societal roles.
Max Beckmann's legacy is cemented not just by his unique approach to modernism but also by his influence on subsequent generations of artists, particularly in the United States, where he spent his final years teaching and working. Despite a path that often diverged from the mainstream narratives of art history, Beckmann's work continues to resonate, housed in prestigious institutions like The Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Max Beckmann's oeuvre offers a compelling exploration of 20th-century art and history. To stay informed about new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Max Beckmann, consider signing up for updates. This subscription ensures access to the latest opportunities to engage with the work of one of modernism's most individual voices.
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.
To stay informed about new discoveries, sales, and auction events related to Karl Schmidt-Rottluff's work, signing up for updates is highly recommended. This ensures that enthusiasts and collectors alike are always in the loop regarding opportunities to engage with and acquire pieces by this influential artist, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire and resonate with future generations.
Käthe Kollwitz (born as Schmidt) was a German artist who worked with painting, printmaking (including etching, lithography and woodcuts) and sculpture. Her most famous art cycles, including The Weavers and The Peasant War, depict the effects of poverty, hunger and war on the working class. Despite the realism of her early works, her art is now more closely associated with Expressionism. Kollwitz was the first woman not only to be elected to the Prussian Academy of Arts but also to receive honorary professor status.
Erich Heckel was a German painter and printmaker, and a founding member of the group Die Brücke ("The Bridge") which existed 1905–1913. His work was part of the art competitions at the 1928 Summer Olympics and the 1932 Summer Olympics.