Arthur Kaufmann (artist)
Encyclopedia
Arthur Kaufmann was an influential avante-garde German
painter, who was a key figure in the Post-Expressionist and New Objectivity
art movements.
He was a founding member in 1919 of Das Junge Rheinland (Young Rhineland), a stylistically diverse group co-led by Herbert Eulenberg
, Gert Wollheim, and Adolf Uzarski
, which was united only by a rejection of academic art. Other members included Otto Dix
, Theo Champion, Karl Schwesig, Walter Ophey, and Adalbert Trillhaase. During this era, he created such works as Contemporaries: Düsseldorf's Intellectual Scene (1925) and his Portrait of Betty Kohlhaas and Jankel Adler (1927).
Jewish in origin, Kaufmann was labeled "non-Aryan" by the Nazis in 1933 and discharged, along with many of his colleagues, from his post at the Düsseldorf School of Applied Arts
. He relocated to the United States
, embarking upon a career as a celebrated portrait painter. He specialized in depictions of well-known Jewish men, including such diverse luminaries as Hollywood actor Edward G. Robinson
, physicist Albert Einstein
, and composer and painter George Gershwin
(whose affidavit was responsible for Kaufmann's safe departure from Germany). His portrait of Gershwin is now held by the National Portrait Gallery
at the Smithsonian Institution
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
painter, who was a key figure in the Post-Expressionist and New Objectivity
New Objectivity
The New Objectivity is a term used to characterize the attitude of public life in Weimar Germany as well as the art, literature, music, and architecture created to adapt to it...
art movements.
He was a founding member in 1919 of Das Junge Rheinland (Young Rhineland), a stylistically diverse group co-led by Herbert Eulenberg
Herbert Eulenberg
Herbert Eulenberg was a German poet and author born in Cologne-Mülheim, Germany.-1920s:Eulenberg was the publisher of many books, for which he wrote the introductions. His speech on Schiller, which he wrote in 1909, generated heated debates...
, Gert Wollheim, and Adolf Uzarski
Adolf Uzarski
Adolf Uzarski was a German writer, artist, and illustrator associated with the New Objectivity movement.He was born in Ruhrort bei Duisburg and studied at the Cologne School of Architecture before enrolling in 1906 at the Düsseldorf School of Arts and Crafts...
, which was united only by a rejection of academic art. Other members included Otto Dix
Otto Dix
Wilhelm Heinrich Otto Dix was a German painter and printmaker, noted for his ruthless and harshly realistic depictions of Weimar society and the brutality of war. Along with George Grosz, he is widely considered one of the most important artists of the Neue Sachlichkeit.-Early life and...
, Theo Champion, Karl Schwesig, Walter Ophey, and Adalbert Trillhaase. During this era, he created such works as Contemporaries: Düsseldorf's Intellectual Scene (1925) and his Portrait of Betty Kohlhaas and Jankel Adler (1927).
Jewish in origin, Kaufmann was labeled "non-Aryan" by the Nazis in 1933 and discharged, along with many of his colleagues, from his post at the Düsseldorf School of Applied Arts
Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
The Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, formerly Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, is the Arts Academy of the city of Düsseldorf. It is well known for having produced many famous artists, such as Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, Thomas Demand, and Andreas Gursky...
. He relocated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, embarking upon a career as a celebrated portrait painter. He specialized in depictions of well-known Jewish men, including such diverse luminaries as Hollywood actor Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson was a Romanian-born American actor. A popular star during Hollywood's Golden Age, he is best remembered for his roles as gangsters, such as Rico in his star-making film Little Caesar and as Rocco in Key Largo...
, physicist Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
, and composer and painter George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
(whose affidavit was responsible for Kaufmann's safe departure from Germany). His portrait of Gershwin is now held by the National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery (United States)
The National Portrait Gallery is an art gallery in Washington, D.C., administered by the Smithsonian Institution. Its collections focus on images of famous individual Americans.-Building:...
at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
.