Karl Schmidt-Rottluff: Boldly Dissonant Colors

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff - Houses at Night - 1912 - Oil on canvas - 37 5/8 x 34 1/2" (95.6 x 87.4 cm) - Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York (click photo for larger image)German Expressionist painter Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976) was one of the founders of Die Brücke (The Bridge), the first phase of German Expressionism. 

The artists of Die Brücke typically preferred to portray scenes of urban life, but Schmidt-Rottluff is particularly known for his rural landscapes. Although he initially painted in an Impressionist style, his mature work is characterized by flat areas of boldly dissonant colors. In 1911 Schmidt-Rottluff, with his fellow Die Brücke members, moved to Berlin, where he painted works with more angular, geometric forms and distorted space, revealing his new interest in Cubism and African sculpture.

After WWI Schmidt-Rottluff became increasingly interested in religious themes. During the 1920s Schmidt-Rottluff’s work became more subdued and harmonious, losing much of its former vigor and integrity. When the Nazis gained power in Germany, he was forbidden to paint. After WWII he taught art and resumed painting, although he never regained the power of his early works.

To learn more about Schmidt-Rottluff and German Expressionism, take What About Art? founder Dr. Jill Kiefer’s class on Modern Movements, beginning Saturday May 1st at the Bethany Arts Community. You can learn more and register HERE.