Kingdom of Prussia 20th century
Albert Bierstadt, a German-American painter, became renowned for his expansive and romanticized landscapes of the American West. Born in Solingen, Germany, in 1830, Bierstadt moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, at the age of two with his family. Largely self-taught, he initially worked as a drawing teacher before traveling to Europe to hone his skills. Bierstadt's European studies, particularly in Düsseldorf, greatly influenced his artistic style, equipping him with the techniques that he would later apply to his majestic depictions of the American wilderness.
Bierstadt's first major expedition to the West in 1859 marked the beginning of his lifelong fascination with the region. His works from this period, such as "The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak" (1863), captured the public imagination and established him as a leading figure in the Hudson River School. These paintings were celebrated for their detailed and idealized portrayal of the rugged landscapes and played a role in shaping the perception of the American West during a time of rapid territorial expansion and exploration.
Despite his success, Bierstadt's style fell out of favor towards the end of his career as tastes shifted towards realism and Impressionism. His later works, including "The Last of the Buffalo" (1888), were criticized for their perceived theatricality and excessive romanticism. Bierstadt's popularity waned, and he faced financial difficulties, but his legacy experienced a resurgence in the mid-20th century as interest in his technique and contributions to American art history grew.
For collectors and enthusiasts of American landscape painting, Bierstadt’s works offer a vivid, albeit embellished, glimpse into the 19th-century frontier spirit. His paintings are housed in major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art, serving as testaments to his skill and vision.
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Julius Bretz was a German painter of the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter and graphic artist, a painter of landscapes and floral still lifes, a representative of the Düsseldorf and Hague Schools.
Julius Bretz was one of the four founders of the Düsseldorf art association Sonderbund and a founder of the Rhine Secession. He was also a member of the artist association "Malkasten" and a member of the Cologne and Bonn artist associations.
Bretz's paintings can be seen today in art museums in Bonn, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Wuppertal, Zurich and other cities
Georg Burmester was a German artist of the late 19th - first third of the 20th centuries. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, impressionist, representative of the Düsseldorf art school, and teacher.
Burmester worked mainly in the genres of landscape and marinas, but among his works there are also still lifes, as well as works in the genre of nude. He was a teacher at the Kassel Art School from 1912 to 1930 and was promoted to the rank of professor in 1917.
Heinrich Deiters was a German painter of the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries. He is known as a landscape painter, a representative of the Düsseldorf school of painting.
In search of nature for his landscapes, Heinrich Deiters traveled extensively in Holland, Belgium, France and southern Germany. His paintings, according to critics, were marked by an "intimate, poetic mood with vivid colors," the artist was most famous for reflecting "the charm of the Westphalian forests."
Deiters held leadership positions in the General German Art Community, the Düsseldorf Artists' Club and the Malkasten Artists' Society, also based in Düsseldorf.
Hermann Wilhelm Benjamin Eschke was a German painter of the second half of the 19th century. He is known as a marine painter.
Hermann Eschke began his career by traveling through southern France and the Pyrenees, after which he became a free-lance artist, creating sketches and designs while traveling in Europe. In collaboration with his son Richard Eschke, the master created murals and dioramas, including works for the Imperial Panorama in Berlin. His contribution to art was recognized with honors and medals, including the title of "Royal Professor" and the gold medal of the Berlin Artists' Association.
Paul Franz Flickel was a German painter of the last third of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a landscape painter.
Flickel painted landscapes in Germany, Austria and Italy. In Germany, he chose the nature of the Baltic coast, the island of Rügen, the Harz mountains and the groves of Brandenburg. Flickel's most expressive works are Italian landscapes, the coloring of which was given by the bright southern sun and lush Mediterranean vegetation.
In 1892 he became a member of the Prussian Academy of Fine Arts and in 1894 a professor of art.
Conrad Freyberg was a German artist of the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter and sculptor.
Freyberg specialized in equestrian portraits and group portraits of horsemen, combining realistic likeness with delicate rendering. Inspired by the wars of 1866 and 1870-1871, the artist created battle paintings, including The Battle of Sadov and The Battle of Skalica. He later became a portrait painter and also worked in the genres of historical painting, animalistic painting and sports scenes. For his achievements, he received the title of court painter. The master was one of the creators of the bronze monument to Prince Albrecht of Prussia in Berlin's Charlottenburg district in 1901.
Ida Gerhardi was a German artist of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She is known as a painter, representative of classical modernism.
Ida Gerhardi at the beginning of her career worked mainly in the genre of landscape, was an adherent of the Barbizon school of painting. Later she began to specialize in portraits, then switched to marine subjects, and in the last years of her life she created still lifes and genre paintings. Beginning in 1900, she was strongly influenced by the Post-Impressionists and Fauvists, and from 1911 by Rhenish Expressionism.
Horst P. Horst, a German-American fashion photographer, is renowned for his significant contributions to the art and fashion industry. Born in 1906, Horst's career spanned several decades, during which he became famous for his distinct style that skillfully blends elements of surrealism, classicism, and avant-garde artistry. His work, characterized by meticulous preparation and an innovative use of lighting, frequently avoided the use of filters and shadows, focusing instead on the subject with an almost architectural precision.
Horst P. Horst's legacy in fashion photography is underscored by his famous portraits, including the iconic 1942 image of Marlene Dietrich, and his exploration of the high society lifestyle through his collaborations with Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. These projects featured portraits of illustrious figures from the realms of royalty, art, fashion, and high society, such as Andy Warhol, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Yves Saint Laurent, showcasing Horst's ability to navigate the glamorous and intimate worlds of his subjects.
His work extended beyond portraiture to include interior design photography, as seen in his documentation of notable interiors for magazines like House & Garden and Vogue. Horst's photographs often served as a bridge, introducing the public to the works of contemporary artists and designers through his editorial and commercial assignments.
Throughout his career, Horst received critical acclaim, with major retrospectives of his work being held at prestigious venues such as the International Center of Photography in New York, the Louvre in Paris, and the National Gallery in London. These exhibitions highlighted his contributions to fashion, portraiture, and art photography, cementing his status as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century.
For those interested in the evolution of fashion photography and the intersection of art and culture, Horst P. Horst's work remains a significant point of study and admiration. Collectors and experts in art and antiques are encouraged to explore his extensive portfolio, which continues to inspire and influence the fields of photography and fashion design.
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Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Theodor Kaulbach was a German painter of the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter, portraitist and teacher.
Kaulbach became court painter of Hanover and professor at the University of Hanover in 1856. His fame came in particular from his portraits of King George V. Kaulbach's portraits were popular with the local aristocracy. They were rich in detail and reflected the theatricality and frivolous elegance of the time. The master was particularly successful in his portraits of women. His son, Friedrich August Kaulbach, also became a famous artist.
Hugo Knorr was a German painter of the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter, graphic artist and teacher.
Hugo Knorr specialized in landscapes, including marine landscapes. His oil paintings often depicted the Norwegian coastline in different seasons and with different moods. He is also known for his chalk and charcoal drawings used to illustrate literary works, including works by Tegner and Veitbrecht. Knorr taught at the Polytechnic Institute in Karlsruhe from 1873.
Wilhelm Maria Hubertus Leibl was a German painter of the last third of the 19th century. He is known as a painter, a representative of German realism, who specialized in portraits and scenes of peasant life.
Leibl created paintings that were characterized by the absence of idylls, showing a person without embellishments. After 1890, his painting became richer in detail and approached Impressionism, but retained the materiality of the images. The artist mostly painted pictures, working without preliminary drawing, which also related him to the Impressionists. His unique style brought him recognition among his contemporaries, he was recognized as an outstanding master and became the leader of the group of artists "Leibl circle".
Reinhold Ludwig Richard Lepsius was a German painter of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, portraitist, representative of the Berlin Secession and German Impressionism.
Lepsius was one of the first artists who used photography to create portraits. The master became famous for his portraits of famous personalities such as archaeologist Ernst Curtius, philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey and poet Stefan Gheorghe. His membership in the German Artists Association strengthened his position on the art scene. Unfortunately, many of his works were lost during World War II.
Sabine Lepsius was a German painter of the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries. She is known as a painter, portraitist, representative of realism.
Sabine Lepsius was the wife of portrait painter Reingold Lepsius and together with him was a popular artist of his time. Her salon in Berlin was a famous meeting place for many artists and writers. She was also one of the founders of the Berlin Secession and exhibited with it until 1913.
Only a small part of Lepsius' oeuvre has survived: most of the 280 portraits she created depicting members of the Jewish community were lost or destroyed during World War II.
August Robert Ludwig Macke was a German Expressionist painter, celebrated for his vibrant use of color and innovative artistic techniques. Born in 1887 in Meschede, Germany, Macke played a pivotal role in the German Expressionist movement and was a founding member of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) group. His work is characterized by a blend of Impressionism, Post-impressionism, and Fauvism, marked by an expressive use of color and form to convey emotions and moods rather than realistic depictions.
Macke's artistic journey was significantly influenced by his travels and encounters with other artists. His first trip to Paris in 1907 introduced him to Impressionism, and his subsequent time in Berlin and interactions with artists like Lovis Corinth further shaped his style. A key turning point in his career was his meeting with Robert Delaunay in Paris in 1912, which introduced him to chromatic Cubism, or Orphism, influencing his work thereafter, such as in "Shops Windows," which reflects Delaunay's impact combined with elements of Italian Futurism. Macke's travels to Tunisia in 1914 with Paul Klee and Louis Moilliet were instrumental in developing the luminist approach of his final period, producing masterpieces like "Türkisches Café."
Macke's contributions to art extend beyond his paintings; he was actively involved in the art community, establishing networks with other modernist artists across Europe. His collaboration with artists like Franz Marc and his role in organizing avant-garde art exhibitions helped promote modernist movements in Germany and beyond. Unfortunately, Macke's promising career was cut short when he was killed in action in 1914 during the First World War.
Macke's works are housed in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, including the Sprengel Museum in Hanover, Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Städel Museum, and Museum Kunstpalast. His paintings, such as "Lady in a Green Jacket" and "Promenade," continue to be celebrated for their innovative approach to color and composition, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
For art collectors and experts, Macke's oeuvre offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of early 20th-century European art, showcasing the intersections of cultural influences and artistic innovation. His works not only reflect the artistic movements of his time but also his personal explorations and responses to the world around him.
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Carlo Mense was a German artist of the twentieth century. He is known as a painter and graphic artist, a representative of Rhenish Expressionism and New Materialism.
Mense was a member of artists' associations such as the Cologne Secession, Gereon Club, Young Rhine, and November. He actively participated in Expressionist exhibitions. Creating graphic works for the magazines "Action" and "Sturm", he became known for his artistic style. In 1937, the Nazis destroyed 37 of his works, categorizing them as "degenerate art." Mense left a significant mark on twentieth-century German painting with his expressive and evocative works.
Eduard Friedrich Pape was a distinguished German painter and known for his contributions to theatre, decorative, and landscape painting. He honed his skills at the Berlin Academy, studying under Carl Blechen and Wilhelm Schirmer from 1839 to 1843, while also working in Johann Gerst's studio, a renowned theatre and decorative painter. Eduard Friedrich Pape's journey took him to Tyrol, Switzerland, and Italy in 1845, enriching his experience and artistic repertoire.
His talent led to his involvement in decorating Berlin's Neue Museum between 1849 and 1853, after which he was honored with the title of a royal professor and membership at the Berlin Academy in 1853. However, Eduard Friedrich Pape's career faced challenges due to severe illness in 1857, which long hindered his ability to paint. Despite these obstacles, he continued his artistic endeavors until old age, when he struggled with eye problems and was nearly blind by the time of his death in 1905.
Eduard Friedrich Pape's legacy is reflected in his artworks, which have been recognized and appreciated in various auctions, demonstrating his lasting impact on the art world. His works provide a window into 19th-century German art, particularly in landscape and decorative painting, making him a significant figure for collectors and art enthusiasts.
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Carl Röchling was a German painter and illustrator known for his depictions of military and military-historical subjects. He gained fame for his portrayals of battle scenes, particularly those depicting Prussian army victories during the Franco-Prussian War.
Röchling collaborated with other artists such as Georg Koch and Eugen Bracht on projects like the panorama of the Battle of Chattanooga. He also worked alongside Richard Knötel and Woldemar Friedrich, illustrating popular children's books such as "Der Alte Fritz in 50 Bildern für Jung und Alt" (1895) and "Die Königin Luise in 50 Bildern für Jung und Alt" (1896).
Max Schlichting was a German impressionist painter, father of the famous marinist Waldemar Schlichting. He studied painting at the Prussian Academy of Arts and the Académie Julian in Paris.
Max Schlichting also worked as a professor and art official. He is known for his French subjects and his depictions of landscapes in Flanders and the Netherlands. Schlichting was a member of the Berlin Association of Artists and the Berlin Secession.
Julius Paul Schmidt-Felling was a German sculptor who worked during the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century. The subject matter of his work was wide and varied. He produced, among others, bronze statues of heroic warriors, athletes, blacksmiths, and farmers. A number of his sculptures of young children were in the Dutch colonial style, some being whimsical in nature.
Paul Alfred Schroeter or Schröter was a German painter and etcher. He became a member of the Munich Secession and participated in their first exhibition of 1894. From 1898 to 1901, he lived in Hamburg where he became a co-founder of the Hamburgischer Künstlerklub. Many of his works are in private collections. Most of the others were destroyed during World War II.
Franz Wenzel Schwarz was a German-Bohemian painter of the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a portrait painter, master of historical genre and glass artist.
Schwarz created many portraits of churchmen, scholars, high officials, major businessmen, as well as children and women. He also created many religious paintings and stained glass windows for churches. He was a member of the Society of Artists of Vienna and other artistic associations. In the later part of his career, Schwarz concentrated on creating genre and portrait paintings, selling them to various countries, including America and Russia. Between 1912 and 1918, he copied paintings from the Old Masters Picture Gallery in Dresden.
Paul Thumann was a German painter of the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a portrait painter and book illustrator.
Paul Thumann created drawings that decorated the works of famous authors such as Goethe, Tennyson, Chamisso, Gamerling and Heine. According to critics, his illustrations were characterized by elegance and subtlety of lines, expressiveness of human and poetic images. Stylistically, the master's works approached Art Nouveau, popular at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. Thumann also created paintings on historical, religious and mythological themes.
Hugo Vogel was a German painter of the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known as a painter, author of historical paintings and portraits.
Vogel created historical and genre paintings in the style of the latest colorists. He was also the author of monumental frescoes on historical themes for the magistrates' halls in Berlin, Hamburg and Merseburg. Portraits, including of prominent German scientists, writers and political figures, occupy a special place in his oeuvre. There are streets in Magdeburg, Berlin and Merseburg named after this artist.
Leopold Karl Walter Graf von Kalckreuth was a German painter of the late nineteenth and first third of the twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter and graphic artist of realistic direction.
Leopold von Kalckreuth was engaged in portrait, genre and landscape painting. He is considered an important representative of the pleiad of artists who determined the development of German painting in the second half of the XIX century and at the turn of the century.
Von Kalckreuth was one of the founders of the Stuttgart Artists' Association, the oldest surviving artists' association in Germany, and of the Artists' Association of Silesia in Breslau.
Adolph Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel was a German Realist artist noted for drawings, etchings, and paintings. Along with Caspar David Friedrich, he is considered one of the two most prominent German painters of the 19th century, and was the most successful artist of his era in Germany. First known as Adolph Menzel, he was knighted in 1898 and changed his name to Adolph von Menzel.
His popularity in his native country, owing especially to his history paintings, was such that few of his major paintings left Germany, as many were quickly acquired by museums in Berlin. Menzel's graphic work (and especially his drawings) were more widely disseminated; these, along with informal paintings not initially intended for display, have largely accounted for his posthumous reputation.
Anton Alexander von Werner, a German painter, was celebrated for his historical paintings that captured key political and military events of Prussia. His works are notable for their depiction of significant moments such as the proclamation of the German Empire at the Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, in 1871. This particular painting marked a turning point in his career, earning him acclaim and establishing his reputation as a leading historical painter of his time.
Von Werner's art was deeply influenced by his experiences during the Franco-Prussian War, where he served in an unofficial capacity alongside the 3rd Army Corps. His firsthand observations of war and its leaders, such as Bismarck and Moltke, enriched his paintings with authenticity and emotional depth.
As the director of the Berlin Academy from 1875 until his death in 1915, Werner played a crucial role in shaping German art education and had the opportunity to tutor German Emperor William II in painting. His works, including commissioned pieces for the Victory Column and other public monuments in Berlin, often utilized innovative techniques such as stained glass mosaics.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Werner's paintings are significant not only for their artistic quality but also for their historical portrayal of the Wilhelmine Period in Germany. His works continue to be appreciated in exhibitions and collections globally.
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