New Leipzig School
Encyclopedia
The term New Leipzig School refers to a movement in modern German painting. The usage and origins of this term are debated.
The "old" Leipzig School was a term used by art journalists which had became established by some time no later than 1977, and the involvement of Werner Tübke
, Wolfgang Mattheuer and Bernhard Heisig with documenta
6. The students of those artists, including Sighard Gille and Arno Rink, can be seen as the second generation of the Leipzig School.
The New Leipzig School, as a third generation, relates to the post-reunification climate of modern Germany and is closely linked with the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
. It usually refers to the students of Gille and Rink, but occasionally those of Rolf Kuhrt or even Heisig or Tübke. Its works tend to be characterised by a combination of figurative and abstract elements. Clear messages, which were characteristic of the "first" Leipzig generation of painters, are no longer present.
The list of painters that are classified in this school is not fixed, but has included Neo Rauch
, Christoph Ruckhäberle
and Matthias Weischer
.
A significant role in the success of the "New Leipzig School" was played by the gallery owner Gerd Harry Lybke, who introduced the works of Rauch in particular to the globally important American art market. Other Leipzig artists were able to achieve international acclaim in the wake of this. Parallels can be seen between these successes and those of the Young British Artists
. Also crucial for the Leipzig painters' success was Matthias Kleindienst, gallery owner and head of the woodcut
ting workshop at the Hochschule
, whose search for talent paved the way for many young Leipzig artists, including Weischer. Another major factor in their market success was the "LIGA" art project, established in Berlin
in 2002 under the direction of Christian Ehrentraut, a former collaborator with Lybke.
Most of the artists tagged as "Leipzig School" members reject the classification. The art historical community has also consistently avoided the term on account of its vagueness and imprecision. However, it is widely used as a label and marketing tool in the world of art dealership.
Many painters and galleries associated with the School are based in the "Music District" in the south-western suburbs, and more recently at the Leipzig Cotton Mill
in Lindenau.
The "old" Leipzig School was a term used by art journalists which had became established by some time no later than 1977, and the involvement of Werner Tübke
Werner Tübke
Werner Tübke was a German painter, best known for his monumental Peasants' War Panorama located in Bad Frankenhausen.-Early Bourgeois Revolution in Germany:...
, Wolfgang Mattheuer and Bernhard Heisig with documenta
Documenta
documenta is an exhibition of modern and contemporary art which takes place every five years in Kassel, Germany. It was founded by artist, teacher and curator Arnold Bode in 1955 as part of the Bundesgartenschau which took place in Kassel at that time...
6. The students of those artists, including Sighard Gille and Arno Rink, can be seen as the second generation of the Leipzig School.
The New Leipzig School, as a third generation, relates to the post-reunification climate of modern Germany and is closely linked with the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig is one of the oldest art schools in Germany, dating back to 1764. The school has four colleges specialising in fine arts, graphic design, photography and new media art with around 500 students....
. It usually refers to the students of Gille and Rink, but occasionally those of Rolf Kuhrt or even Heisig or Tübke. Its works tend to be characterised by a combination of figurative and abstract elements. Clear messages, which were characteristic of the "first" Leipzig generation of painters, are no longer present.
The list of painters that are classified in this school is not fixed, but has included Neo Rauch
Neo Rauch
Neo Rauch is a German artist whose paintings mine the intersection of his personal history with the politics of industrial alienation. His work reflects the influence of socialist realism, and owes a debt to Surrealists Giorgio de Chirico and René Magritte, although Rauch hesitates to align...
, Christoph Ruckhäberle
Christoph Ruckhäberle
Christoph Ruckhäberle is an artist based in Leipzig. Ruckhäberle studied at the California Institute of the Arts from 1991-1992, and received his BFA in painting – in 1995 – and his MFA – in 2002 - from Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig.His work has been shown in many exhibitions...
and Matthias Weischer
Matthias Weischer
Matthias Weischer is a painter living in Leipzig. Weischer is considered to be part of the New Leipzig School.- Life :...
.
A significant role in the success of the "New Leipzig School" was played by the gallery owner Gerd Harry Lybke, who introduced the works of Rauch in particular to the globally important American art market. Other Leipzig artists were able to achieve international acclaim in the wake of this. Parallels can be seen between these successes and those of the Young British Artists
Young British Artists
Young British Artists or YBAs is the name given to a loose group of visual artists who first began to exhibit together in London, in 1988...
. Also crucial for the Leipzig painters' success was Matthias Kleindienst, gallery owner and head of the woodcut
Woodcut
Woodcut—occasionally known as xylography—is a relief printing artistic technique in printmaking in which an image is carved into the surface of a block of wood, with the printing parts remaining level with the surface while the non-printing parts are removed, typically with gouges...
ting workshop at the Hochschule
Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig is one of the oldest art schools in Germany, dating back to 1764. The school has four colleges specialising in fine arts, graphic design, photography and new media art with around 500 students....
, whose search for talent paved the way for many young Leipzig artists, including Weischer. Another major factor in their market success was the "LIGA" art project, established in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
in 2002 under the direction of Christian Ehrentraut, a former collaborator with Lybke.
Most of the artists tagged as "Leipzig School" members reject the classification. The art historical community has also consistently avoided the term on account of its vagueness and imprecision. However, it is widely used as a label and marketing tool in the world of art dealership.
Many painters and galleries associated with the School are based in the "Music District" in the south-western suburbs, and more recently at the Leipzig Cotton Mill
Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei
The Leipziger Baumwollspinnerei is an industrial site in Leipzig, Germany. Parts of this 10-hectare site in the district of Lindenau are used today by art galleries, studios and restaurants....
in Lindenau.
External links
- Leipziger Schule: Geborgtes Leben Hanno Rauterberg, Die ZeitDie ZeitDie Zeit is a German nationwide weekly newspaper that is highly respected for its quality journalism.With a circulation of 488,036 and an estimated readership of slightly above 2 million, it is the most widely read German weekly newspaper...
, 14 July 2006.