A pioneering Expressionist artist, known for vibrant, emotive works that bridged the gap between traditional German art and modernist movements. His bold, colorful prints and paintings explored themes of nature, humanity, and spirituality.
Christian Rohlfs, a pioneering German painter and printmaker, is renowned for his significant contributions to the Expressionist movement. With a style that bridged the gap between traditional techniques and modernist experimentation, Rohlfs' work left an indelible mark on the art world.
Rohlfs was born on November 22, 1849, in Groß Niendorf, Kreis Segeberg, Prussia. His artistic journey began as a teenager, when he took up painting to alleviate the monotony of convalescence from an infection that eventually led to the amputation of his leg in 1874. Despite this setback, Rohlfs persevered, enrolling in the Berlin Academy and later transferring to the Weimar Academy in 1870, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of esteemed artists.
In 1901, Rohlfs left Weimar for Hagen, where he encountered the art collector Karl Ernst Osthaus, who offered him a studio at the Museum Folkwang. It was here that Rohlfs' artistic trajectory took a decisive turn. Inspired by the works of Edvard Munch, Emil Nolde, and Vincent van Gogh, Rohlfs began to gravitate towards Expressionism, a style that would become synonymous with his oeuvre.
In 1908, at the age of 60, Rohlfs created his first prints, sparked by an exhibition of works by the Expressionist group Die Brücke. Over the course of his career, he would go on to produce an astonishing 185 prints, primarily woodcuts and linocuts, showcasing his mastery of the medium.
Rohlfs' artistic prowess earned him recognition and accolades, including his participation in the International Congress of Progressive Artists in 1922, where he signed the Founding Proclamation of the Union of Progressive International Artists. However, his success was not without controversy. In 1937, the Nazi regime expelled him from the Prussian Academy of Arts, denouncing his work as "degenerate" and removing his pieces from public collections. A total of 17 of his paintings were exhibited in the notorious Degenerate Art Exhibition, a humiliating spectacle designed to ridicule modern art.
Christian Rohlfs' unwavering dedication to his artistic vision and his pioneering role in German Expressionism have secured his place in the annals of art history. His innovative prints, characterized by bold colors and expressive forms, continue to inspire generations of artists. Despite the challenges he faced during his lifetime, Rohlfs' work remains a testament to the power of artistic expression, a beacon of hope and creativity that continues to illuminate the world.
"The artist's task is to get at the essence of things, to uncover the hidden, the unknown, the unspoken."
— Christian Rohlfs
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