Kurt Schwitters (1887 - 1948)

Kurt Schwitters (1887 - 1948) - photo 1

Kurt Schwitters

Kurt Schwitters (1887–1948) was a German artist renowned for his multifaceted contributions to modern art, encompassing painting, poetry, graphic design, and installation art. Born in Hanover, Germany, Schwitters developed a unique artistic vision that led to the creation of "Merz," a term he coined to describe his one-of-a-kind approach to art.

The concept of Merz originated from a fragment of the word "Kommerz" (commerce), which Schwitters incorporated into his early collages. This term came to represent his artistic philosophy, characterized by the assemblage of found objects and everyday materials into cohesive compositions. Through Merz, Schwitters sought to blur the boundaries between traditional art forms, integrating elements of Dadaism, Constructivism, and Surrealism.

One of Schwitters' most significant projects was the "Merzbau," an ambitious, evolving installation within his Hanover home. This project began around 1923 and transformed his living space into a labyrinthine structure filled with collages, sculptures, and found objects. The Merzbau was a physical manifestation of his Merz philosophy, embodying the synthesis of art and life. Unfortunately, the original Merzbau was destroyed during a British air raid in 1943.

In addition to his visual art, Schwitters made notable contributions to literature and sound art. His poem "An Anna Blume," published in 1919, is a seminal work that exemplifies his playful use of language and nonsensical style, aligning with the Dada movement's principles. Moreover, his "Ursonate," a sound poem composed between 1922 and 1932, showcases his innovative exploration of phonetic expression and rhythm, pushing the boundaries of traditional poetry.

The rise of the Nazi regime in Germany had a profound impact on Schwitters' life and work. Classified as a "degenerate" artist by the Nazis, he fled to Norway in 1937 to escape persecution. Following the German invasion of Norway in 1940, he sought refuge in the United Kingdom. During his internment at the Hutchinson Internment Camp on the Isle of Man, Schwitters continued to create art, producing over 200 works during his 16 months of confinement.

After his release, Schwitters settled in the Lake District of England, where he embarked on a new Merz construction known as the "Merzbarn." Although he was unable to complete this project due to his death in 1948, the Merzbarn stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to his artistic vision. Today, Kurt Schwitters is celebrated as a pioneer of modern art, whose innovative techniques and ideas have left an indelible mark on the art world.

Date and place of birt:20 june 1887, Hannover, Germany
Date and place of death:8 january 1948, Kendal, United Kingdom
Nationality:United Kingdom, Germany
Period of activity: XX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter, Writer
Art school / group:Der Sturm
Genre:Landscape painting, Still life
Art style:Degenerate art, Expressionism, Surrealism, Constructivism, Dadaism

Creators United Kingdom

Matthew William Peters (1742 - 1814)
Matthew William Peters
1742 - 1814
Edward Angelo Goodall (1819 - 1908)
Edward Angelo Goodall
1819 - 1908
John Bale (1495 - 1563)
John Bale
1495 - 1563
Julian Opie (1958)
Julian Opie
1958
Josefina de Vasconcellos (1904 - 2005)
Josefina de Vasconcellos
1904 - 2005
Tony Cragg (1949)
Tony Cragg
1949
Alberto Morrocco (1917 - 1998)
Alberto Morrocco
1917 - 1998
Arthur Joseph Gaskin (1862 - 1928)
Arthur Joseph Gaskin
1862 - 1928
William Reid Dick (1879 - 1961)
William Reid Dick
1879 - 1961
Jan Griffier II (1688 - 1750)
Jan Griffier II
1688 - 1750
Aubrey Beardsley (1872 - 1898)
Aubrey Beardsley
1872 - 1898
Bryan Hook (1856 - 1924)
Bryan Hook
1856 - 1924
Cecil Gordon Lawson (1849 - 1882)
Cecil Gordon Lawson
1849 - 1882
Chris Levine (1960)
Chris Levine
1960
Arthur Wardle (1864 - 1949)
Arthur Wardle
1864 - 1949
William Hamilton (1751 - 1801)
William Hamilton
1751 - 1801

Creators Constructivism

Lucien Coutaud (1904 - 1977)
Lucien Coutaud
1904 - 1977
Richard Gerstl (1883 - 1908)
Richard Gerstl
1883 - 1908
Boris Artzybasheff (1899 - 1965)
Boris Artzybasheff
1899 - 1965
Emil Maetzel (1877 - 1955)
Emil Maetzel
1877 - 1955
Franziskus Wendels (1960)
Franziskus Wendels
1960
Victor Brauner (1903 - 1966)
Victor Brauner
1903 - 1966
Manfred Dinnes (1950 - 2012)
Manfred Dinnes
1950 - 2012
Harald Metzkes (1929)
Harald Metzkes
1929
Edward Burra (1905 - 1976)
Edward Burra
1905 - 1976
Lorenz Bösken (1891 - 1967)
Lorenz Bösken
1891 - 1967
Bernhard Kretzschmar (1889 - 1972)
Bernhard Kretzschmar
1889 - 1972
Nikolai Suetin (1897 - 1954)
Nikolai Suetin
1897 - 1954
Olga Petrovna Rapay (1929 - 2012)
Olga Petrovna Rapay
1929 - 2012
Efrosinia Fedoseevna Ermilova-Platova (1895 - 1974)
Efrosinia Fedoseevna Ermilova-Platova
1895 - 1974
Jan Lebenstein (1930 - 1999)
Jan Lebenstein
1930 - 1999
Maxwell Bates (1906 - 1980)
Maxwell Bates
1906 - 1980
× Create a Search Subscription