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Carl Hofer Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

German, 1878-1955

Carl Hofer was born in Germany in 1875. He was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that were considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902, he studied in Stuttgart and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller. His wife Mathilde Scheinberger was Jewish but later joined the Protestant faith. They traveled around Europe to Rome and Paris, where he was influenced by Paul Cezanne and Pablo Picasso. In 1908, he showed his work at the Berlin Succession founded by Max Liebermann. In 1913, he became a member of the New Freie Secession and was represented at its first exhibition in 1914 with Liebermann, Erich Heckel, Ernst, Ludwig, Kirchner, Max Pechstein and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. After the first World War, he became a Professor at the College of Fine Arts in Charlottenburg. During the 20s, Hofer represented his style, which was later referred to as Magic Realism. After a love affair, Carl and Mathilde lived separately but remained married. With the rise of the Nazi party, he was fervently against the movement writing articles such as Fascism, the dark reaction, which was published by the Communist newspaper Welt am Abend. The Nazis claimed he was a Jew and defamed him on a poster in 1933 with Oskar Schlemmer. In the degenerate art exhibition in 1937, the Nazis represented 8 of his works as a propaganda exercise and in 1938 he was expelled from the Prussian Academy of Arts because of his marriage to Mathilde. He later divorced her but was still no longer allowed to sell his works. He married his lover Elizabeth Schmidt and the ban was lifted. Sadly his ex-wife was deported to Auschwitz and was killed in November 1942. After World War II, he regained his artistic prestige receiving awards and honorary doctorates and was very involved in the construction of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. Many of his works hang in modern art galleries and collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Kunsthalle Mannheim, Germany and Bavarian State Picture Collection, among many others. By the time of his death in 1955, he was considered one of the greatest living artists of his time.

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Artist: Carl Hofer
German Expressionist drawing of an abstracted form by Carl Hofer
German Expressionist drawing of an abstracted form by Carl Hofer

German Expressionist drawing of an abstracted form by Carl Hofer

By Carl Hofer

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Abstracted form Pencil and pen and ink on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 11.3/8 x 7.1/2 in. (28.8 x 19 cm.) Provenance: These works c...

Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink, Pen, Pencil

German Expressionist drawing of abstracted figures by Carl Hofer
German Expressionist drawing of abstracted figures by Carl Hofer

German Expressionist drawing of abstracted figures by Carl Hofer

By Carl Hofer

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Abstract figures Pencil on paper 8.1/4 x 9 in. (21 x 23 cm.) With studio stamp (on the reverse) and signature of the artist’s wife Elizabeth Hofer Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Pencil

German expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer' Whispering'
German expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer' Whispering'

German expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer' Whispering'

By Carl Hofer

Located in Petworth, West Sussex

Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Einflusterung (Whispering) Charcoal and pencil on paper Signed and inscribed ‘Einflusterung’ (lower middle) 17.1/4 x 13.3/8 in. (43.8 x 34 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...

Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

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Carl Hofer abstract drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Carl Hofer abstract drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Carl Hofer in paper, pencil, charcoal and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Expressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Carl Hofer abstract drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Lyonel Feininger, and Bob Paul Kane. Carl Hofer abstract drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,939 and tops out at $2,198, while the average work can sell for $2,068.