BETWEEN TWO HORIZONS

I had been looking forward to going to The Centre Pompidou-Metz for sometime and it was mainly to discover  the German artist and choreographer Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943), who revolutionized dance and performance art especially within the Bauhaus. There was virtually nothing on Internet about him - or very little anyway but the couple of images I had seen of costumes, were fascinating.
This  exhibition demonstrates his desire to turn performing arts into a modern art form in its own right, as well as his performances, dances and costume parties, and even his staging of works by great composers like Igor Stravinsky or Arnold Schönberg. Of course, no photos. I wasn’t too concerned as there would be on Internet - but there was not one picture of what I had seen. Very disappointing.

Then of course I knew that I would be better satisfied with the exhibition  « Between Two Horizons ». My period and there would be a lot to see - and learn. It tells more than a century of a shared and crossed influences and artistic trends between France and Germany.


If we consider that the international collections of museums are the mirror of a country’s diplomatic relations, the German avant-gardes of the early twentieth century are actually often under-represented or nearly absent from the French collections. Ideas between the French and German intelligentsia, free minds – artists such as Max Liebermann, August Macke, Vassily Kandinsky, Max Ernst or Willi Baumeister would be exhibited to tell the story. The chronological layout,  brings together 240 paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs, explaining the historical context.

 Within the Saarlandmuseum collection, impressionist pictures by Auguste Renoir stand alongside Max Libermann’s, the “fauve” André Derain faces flamboyant paintings and engravings by the expressionists Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Emil Nolde. The exhibition traces the dialogue between Robert Delaunay and the members of the group Der Blaue Reiter, among which Franz Marc and August Macke, and the friendship of Fernand Léger and Willi Baumeister despite the turmoils of war.
That is just a little of the background but now lets take a look at the exhibition as it goes along. Sheer bliss, I was practically alone. I was glad to be inside too - that was how the fields looked and the Centre itself looks cold and rather unwelcoming.

 

Sun Rise  -1933

Although the exhibition as I said was in a chronological order from the beginning of the 20th century - I came into this by Max Pechstein (1881-1955). He was a German expressionist painter and printmaker, and a member of the Die Brücke group. It seemed odd to come into a painting that was done in 1933. Had I come in the wrong way? 

Tiger in the Zoo 1901



Then we are at the beginning. Called Impressions. This was at the end of the 19th century when industrialization became part of society and in a way the basis of artistic creation in both France and Germany. At that time the French pictorial tradition was an example for the whole world and German artists felt it necessary to visit and even stay in France to experience this trend. One artist, whom I had never heard of Max Slevogt (1868-1932), made himself a name by painting the circles of literature, music and theatre…I can hardly say that « Tiger in the Zoo » (1901) relates to this -
 

« The Actress, Sada Yakko (1901)

 but, « The Actress, Sada Yakko "(1901) certainly did:-

« Walchensee, view of Wetterstein » (1921)

Lovis Corinth, another unknown name (1858-1925) was identified with Expressionism apparently due to his « expressive style » to coin a phrase. I liked this: « Walchensee, view of Wetterstein » (1921)

Port-en-Bessin : 14th July 1884

The French painter, Paul Signac (1863-1935) we know but especially for his Pointillism developed along with George Seurat. Signac was also known for his landscapes and beach  scenes                                                         

Le port de Honfleur 1917

Naturally, Claude Monet (1840-1926) was widely followed by so many of the artists at that time. « Honfleur Port » done in 1917.

Vue de Cagnes - 1903-05

Or even Auguste Renoir(1841-1905) A View of Cagnes (1903-1905).




                                                                                                                  And Camille Pissarro (1830-1903) « Vegetable Garden in Pontoise » 1880.

Jardin à Wannsee - House and Terrace toward the south-west

 



Another German artist who was included in this period, Max Lieberman (1847-1935) « Garden in Wannsee - «  1917. He wasn’t really accepted when he first came to Paris because of the tensions inherited from the war. It is he who forms the Berlin "Secession". Alas further problems arise which tarnish his reputation in France.


As you can see…I was alone. 

Now we are moving into periods which you know I follow closely: Der Bleu Reiter and Die Brücke….In fact many of these paintings you will have seen before. I go back to them « lovingly » - for their energy: the bold strokes: the strong colors - it’s always wonderful to see them again, but I didn't come to Metz for that, so this exhibition more than ever, made my trip worth it.

 

"Landscape with houses "- 1909

  


Maurice de Vlaminck (1886-1958) French painter who was one of the creators of the school  known as Fauvism

"The Road to Vence"  1920

Raoul Dufy (1877-1953)  The impressionist landscape painters, such as Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, influenced Dufy. His first exhibition (at the Exhibition of French Artists) took place in 1901.










 

"Rocks in the Pianna (Corsica) Calanque "- 1906

 Charles Camoin (1879-1965). Another Fauve and French

"Jumping Horse" - 1911

Heinrich Campendonk (1889-1957) He was a member of the Der Bleu Reiter group, from 1911 to 1912. When the Nazi regime came to power in 1933, he was among the many modernists condemned as degenerate artists, and prohibited from exhibiting. He moved to the Netherlands, where he spent the rest of his life working at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam, first teaching Decorative Art, printmaking and stained-glass, then as the Academy Director. He died as a naturalized Dutchman, although born a German. He is one of my favorite artists…

"Grand Resurrection" - 1911

Vassily Kandinsky (1886-1944) - do I need to say anymore? Perhaps though that this painting focused on a feminine face with those enormous eyes suggesting for me that he painted it  when involved with someone. Maybe he doesn’t see this in the painting?   When he painted this in 1912, he was also very influenced by Paul Gaugin.

 

"Black Hair on a Yellow background" -1912

Another of my favorite artists : Alexej von Jawlensky (1864-1941) was a Russian expressionist active in Germany. He was a key member of the New Munich Artist's Association (Neue Künstlervereinigung München), Der Bleu Reiter (The Blue Rider) group and later the Die Blaue Vier (The Blue Four). As you know I am very keen on Der Blaue Reiter and Die Brucke 

This is quite a strange painting. The eyes and that face seem to be so intense as if the artist can only see that...saturated colours - I wonder if he is in love with his model?

"Face of the Saviour" - 1921

  



This is another painting by Jawlensky and so different from his usual work.

"Victoria Bridge and houses under rain" 1912

Auguste Macke (1887-1914) A German painter who was a leader of Der Bleu Reiter (“The Blue Rider”). The  influential group of Expressionist artists.











 

"The Tempest" 1911

 But I do prefer this one of Macke "The Storm" painted in 1911. Those massive forms and intense earth tones are not very common in his work. The animal jumping on the right...not unalike what we see in Franz Marc's paintings

"Landscape next to a Church, Murnau" - 1909

Gabriele Münter (1877-1962) was a German expressionist painter , at the forefront of the Munich avant-garde in the early 20th century. This still life called « the Russian House » was the name given to the house acquired by Münter in Murnau and where the Bleu Reiter painters worked regularly.


 Münter This too is a breakway from her usual style

"Still Life with Figurines" -1910

                                                                                                                  

 

"The Moon and its animals" - 1916

Paul Klee (1870-1940). Most unusual for me. The two animals on either side of the moon, evoke his friend Franz Marc who died on the front in 1916. That’s what we are told in a very succinct text about the work. The painting is called « The Moon and its animals ». 1916





And of course Franc Marc (1880-1916). Animals symbolize the original purity that man has lost for as far as Marc is concerned. If there were not those black lines around the ship the animals would probably be melting into the landscape. This is the artist that I mentioned above in relation to Auguste Macke

 

"Two Sheep" 1912

"Small Blue Horse - a picture for children" 1912

August Macke again. I have always loved this painting. It’s what he described as a « friendship picture » which was dedicated to Macke’s son, Walter.

"Duo" - 1949

        Emil Nolde (1887-1956) An ephemeral member of the Brücker. Here is  a nocturnal atmosphere with two dancers with simplified body features pushed to the extreme. A very much more gentle approach compared to his usual work with figures usually outlined in heavy black.
He was as a German-Danish painter and printmaker. One of the first Expressionists, a member of Die Brücke, and first oil painting and watercolor painters of the early 20th century to explore color.




A nice sculpture by Henri Matisse (1869-1954). 



"Nu Couché " -1907

Just a few words about Der Bleu Reiter. The two Russians Wassily Kandinsky and Alexej von Jawlensky, as well as Franc Marc, Auguste Macke, Gabriele Münter and Heinrich Campendonl took part in the Bleu Reiter and became the expressionist group in Munich. The circle is very close to the French artist Robert Delaunay who shared the same research about color and abstraction. Klee was a sympathizer of this movement.


 

Hésiode, Théogonie" -1932

 Most unusual for Georges Braque (1882-1963) don’t you think? Called « Hésiode, Théogonie » and done in 1932.




An artist I did not know. Roger Bissière (1886-1964) French. He designed stained glass windows for the Metz cathedral and several other churches, so I must have seen his work. 






 
 

"Pink Writing" - 1960

 

"Lobster" -1938

Wolf (Alfred Otto Wolfgang Schulze)  (1913-1951), a German painter and photographer active in France. Though broadly unrecognized in his lifetime, he is considered a pioneer of Lyrical Abstraction, one of the most influential artists of the Tachisme movement, a French style of abstract painting popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The term is said to have been first used with regards to the movement in 1951.It is often considered to be the European equivalent to abstract expressionism and you may remember that this is a movement I follow.

"Blue, Red, Green and Black composition " -1958

Serge Poliakoff (1900-1969) was a Russian-born French modernist painter belonging to the "New" Ecole de Paris (Tachisme). If you have followed my different Blog chapters, you will have come across his work. Gianni introduced me to him some 20 years ago.

 

 

"The Dancers on a yellow background" 1953

Fernand Leger (1881-1955). French - just an anecdote. A great friend of our family did his income tax and the only way Leger could pay him, was with a couple of his paintings.That's how I first "knew" Légèr I often wondered after Jean had died, what had happened to them.










There was a room dedicated to Graphic Art. Unfortunately very poorly lit. 


 

"Scenes in the Workshop" -1910

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) was a German expressionist painter and printmaker and one of the founders of the artists group Die Brücke or "The Bridge", a key group leading to the foundation of Expressionism in 20th-century art. This drawing introduces the viewer into his workshop in Dresden where the painters of Die Brücker  worked together. The nudes sketched in the antechamber mean a free Life, away from bourgeois principles! 





 

"Two Heads" -no date

Another painting of Emil Nolde. « Two Heads » but not dated. There seems to be a duality here, old and young, man and woman (?) and an indifference but there are certainly tensions between the couple.





 Well you know who this is? Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) Dr Gachet done in 1890.

"Man with a Pipe" (Dr Gachet) - 1890

"Gladiators fighting" -1928

Another unusual graphic by Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978) It’s called « The Gladiator Fight » (1928). He is best known for his enigmatic paintings of the 1910s and '20s, and for his influence on the Surrealist movement. Italian course!





Cubism is featured. It was when the young German Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler opened his gallery in Paris and discovered the cubists. Picasso, Braque, Juan Gris, Fernand Légèr, Albert Gleizes. He forged a very close friendships with them. Cubism is of course denigrated as « Boche art » « Art degeneré » Strangely the style is not as strong in German painting.

 

"Landscape at Montreuil" - 1914

Albert Gleizes (1881-1953) was a French artist, theoretician, philosopher, a self-proclaimed founder of Cubism and an influence on the School of Paris. I still don’t think he was the founder. It’s Picasso and Braque for me.

"House at the Sea" - 1913

Othon Coubine (1883-1969). Someone else I don’t remember. He was an a renowned Czech painter and sculptor born in Moravia, Austria-Hungary. His works are mainly associated with Impressionism. He was influenced by such artists as Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin, and formed a friendship with Pablo Picasso. He died in Marseille, France, in 1969.
This painting is cubic perhaps but certainly not as abstract as those we know of Picasso or Braque. « House at the sea » done in 1913.

 

"Still Life with a Book on the Table" -1918

Alexander Archipenko (1887-1964) an Ukrainian-born American avant-garde artist, sculptor, and graphic artist. He was the first, after Picasso, to employ the Cubist style in three dimensions. Very strange is it not. « Nature Morte avec livre et vase sur la table » done in 1918. 

 




And this is another of his work - but I’m sorry, I didn’t get the title nor date.

 

"Groupe de Felles bleues" -1931

Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943). Now this was the artist I went to see initially. The creator of the Triadic Ballet and workshop master at the Bauhaus School. « Group of Blue Women » 1931.

"Composition prismatique" - 1934

Fritz Winter (1905-1976)  A German painter of the postwar period best known for his abstract works in the Art Informel style. I liked this « Prismatique Composition » done in 1934.








An unusual painting of George Braque. « Hamlet » - 1943
 

"Hamlet" - 1943

"Chair woth a Skull reading" -1946

There were very few of Picasso’s paintings. This though is, in my book, is fabulous. « Chaise et crâne et au livre » - 1946. After the liberation of Paris, Picasso returned to the formal and chromatic principles of Cubism. Grey-brown tones as you can see and a space which is seen from different angles. Certainly not Braque’s « Hamlet » but the skull and the book could perhaps evoke the vanitas. I couldn’t be sure. Or are they describing close friends of his who vanished in concentration camps?

"Lunebourg" - 1924

Lionel Feinger (1871-1953)  A German-American painter, and a leading exponent of Expressionism. He also worked as a caricaturist and comic strip artist. He too was a master at the Bauhaus school. This is a strange painting « Lunebourg » 1924. There seems to be an inside light exuding out of the painting and giving the « houses » around it another dimension.



 We have seen a lot of Die Brücke work together. But just to remind you that this was one of the most important centre of German Expressionism. The members included Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, Fritz Bleyl and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff and were joined later by Max Pechstein and Otto Mueller, and for a short time as I mentioned above by Emil Nolde. They are all influenced by Van Gogh and particularly by Gaugin for his fascination in African and Polynesian Arts. Their work explores vivid colors, big shapes, strong outlines and is spontaneous. Perhaps that is why I like it so much. It’s close to Fauvism too which I also appreciate for the strong outspoken colors.
Brucke and the Expressionist movement in general did not receive a satisfactory reception amongst the French. This is mainly due to the tensions at the dawn of World War 1. The French museums bought very little German work between 1871 and 1918. The same is true in Germany. Exhibitions and purchases of French Art do not find a satisfactory echo.

Max Pechstein - 1917

Max Pechstein (1881-1955) followed the example of Paul Gaugin during the winter of 1913-14. He went into exile in the Paulau islands and tried to live and work following the way of live of the aboriginal peoples. He was caught up by the brutality of World War 1 but was demobilized in 1917 and returned to Berlin, where he painted scenes that he had memorized.

 

 "Fir Trees in the Mountain" - 1919

Kirchner again with « Sapins dans la montagne » 1919
















Along with Emil Nolde « Exotic Figures (Monkeys) » 1912. 



I love this painting of Nolde. « Young Bullocks » 1990. They really dominate the pictorial space. This was also considered to be Degenerate art ». 

 

"Jeunes Boeufs" 190?

"Nu couché (Nida)" - 1911

Max Pechstein  with his « Nude lying down » 1911. His favorite model, Lotte since 1909 and then she became his wife in 1911. She is certainly voluptuous!

 

"L'Ivrogne" - 1921

On we go….

Christian Rohlfs (1849-1938) A German painter and one of the important representatives of German expressionism. I will be quite honest. I was beginning to feel like I needed a glass of wine and there was still a lot to see. This is called « The Drunkard » and done in 1921.

 

"Portrait de Ludwig Schames" - 1918

A fascinating portrait of Ludwig Schames done by Kirchner in 1918. He was a German Collecter and Kirchner was one of his major clients.

"Paysage marécageux de Poméranie" -1931

Rottluff with his « Swampy landscape in Poméranie » 1931

Another interesting discovery. Wilhelm Lehmbruck (1881-1919) A German sculptor, printmaker, and painter best known for his melancholy sculptures of elongated nudes.

Lehmbruck studied art in Düsseldorf, Germany, first at the School of Arts and Crafts (1895–1901) and then at the Art Academy (1901–07). His early work was academic and conservative; he was strongly influenced by the monumental works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

In 1910 Lehmbruck moved to Paris. 

This is called « head of a girl with a thin neck » 1913-14.

"Portrait d'Otto Mueller

Portrait of Otto Mueller done by Kirchner in 1915. Not the most flattering that I have seen!

 

"Portrait d'homme" - 1919

   


I thought this was Otto Dix but no, Erich Heckel (1883-1970) « Portrait of a Man » 1919. He too, was one of the founding members of Die Brücke the influential group of German Expressionist artist, as you know.

 

"Le Carrousel" 1921-22

Now World War 1 is upon us. Almost the entire generation of artists born around 1880, namely the Fauves, expressionists and cubists are enlisted in the war. The propaganda induces nationalism and many join the front, overjoyed, thinking of « cleaning Europe ». Disenchantment as you can well imagine, sets in  very quickly. Many die during the war and the few artistic testimonies are marked by distress and despair not forgetting the unspeakable horror. The Treaty of Versailles leads to a boycott of German culture that will only end in 1925 when official artistic exchanges start again.

Max Beckmann (1884-1950) « The Carrousel » 1921-22.

Ludwig Meiner (1884-1966) shows the apocalyptic landscapes of World War . 


 

"Paysage apocalyptique - (Le Port de la Spree" - 1913

 
 

"Homme dans la Plaine" - 1917

 Erich Heckel too creates work with wood blocks found in the fields. « Man in the Plain » 1917.

The Stupor of it all and it still goes on today. In the aftermath of this absurd war and failed revolution, the disenchantment of a drifting present became the driving power for a deep mutation in art in the Young Republic of Weimar. To explain this,  it was the unofficial, historical designation for the German state between 1919 and 1933. The name derives from the city of Weimar, where its constitutional assembly first took place. The recognition of the social mission of art was shared by the avant-gardes emerging in Germany during those troubled years and differed greatly from the French situation. However, the paths taken are of an extreme variety. Bauhaus and New Objectivity which explores the surreal universe of images as started by George Grosz in 1925. He said that France had always been considered the Mecca by German Artists …but that today there was the same stagnancy, the same middle ground as in Germany.

There are artists now that I will discover from this period in Germany; Edgard Jené (1904-1984) and there is not too much I can find on him. German and an illustrator  but when I saw this, « The Glove of Néréide » done in 1947, I felt he must have been a surrealist as well.

"Le Gant de ma Néréide" - 1947

"Muraille péruvienne" - 1946

William Baumeister (1889-1955 A German painter, scenic designer, art professor, and typographer. In the 1930’s he belonged to the Circle and Square and Abstraction-Creation group - which I have never heard of. They painted
« wall pictures » « whose archaic character evokes lost culture »
I wonder what that really meant?

"La Moyenne Mante" - 1946

            Yes, you know Germaine Richier (1902-1959) a French sculptor.
Born in Grans, Richier began her studies at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montpellier, in the atelier of Louis-Jacques Guigues; in 1926 she went to work with Antoine Bourdelle, remaining in his studio until his death in 1929. There she became acquainted with Alberto Giacometti, although the two were never close. Richier for her part was more interested in a classical approach to sculpture, preferring to work from a live model and then reworking the final product. I will be quite honest, even if the christian name is feminine, I always thought she was a man…. But I love this…even if I did cut her head




Now finally Otto Dix (1891-1969).  Certainly was one of the most eminent portraitists of the 20th century. Not that perhaps you really like his work. This is probably a portrayal of a « war widow » who is also, judging by her outfit and her face, worn out by debauchery - what we may call, a demi-mundane!
 

"The Widow" - 1922

 

"La Fin du Dr Huelsenbeck" - 1920

George Grosz ( 1853- 1959) A German artist known especially for his caricatural drawings and paintings of Berlin life in the 1920s. He was a prominent member of the Berlin Dada and New Objectivity group during the Weimar Republic. This particular lithograph depicts the disillusionment of a disintegrating Republic. A member too of the communist party and printed many copies of his militant works. This is called « The end of Dr Huelsenbeck » and was done in 1920. I gather he was a prominent orthopedic surgeon.
 

"Deux Dames à la Fenetre" - 1928

These « Two women at a Window » painted in 1928 by Max Beckman is very strange. He too was deeply traumatized by war experiences and his perception of reality and imaginary world are permanently threatened by an underlying perversion. His wife and one of her friends were reunited by the symbolic element of that doll. It seems to stand out in the painting.

 


Then World War ll is imminent. From 1933, Hitler states that he will undertake a « moral purge ». It starts with the exclusion of Jews and all the opponents of his regime. Thousands of books are burned. For Hitler his conception of art should « express the soul and the ideals of the community. » « racial purity ». In 1936, the Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels prohibits any art criticism in favor of a single man’s perception. This is concluded in 1937 with the cleaning of national museums of about 16,000 works from the international avant-garde
and some 650 were displayed as Degenerate Art ».
 

"Croquis d'orang-outan" (Gardien avec "Seemann)" -1901

Max Slevogt (1868-1932) A German Impressionist painter and illustrator, best known for his landscapes. He was, with Lovis Corinth and Max Liebermann, one of the foremost representatives in Germany of the plain air style. The sketches from 1901 of the zoological garden of Frankfurt show his early work. This particular work « Orang-Utan » is apparently quite famous today. It comes - unfortunately - from a Jewish collection and was sold in auction in 1938.

"Les Prisonniers" - 1945

Edgar Jené painted « The Prisoners » in 1945. It’s very strong and yet when I first saw it, it was much more an abstract painting than what it actually is.








Ernst William Nay (1902-1968) A German painter known for his association with the Art Informel movement and post-World War II artists such as Karel Appel, Jean Dubuffet, and Alberto Burri. He was forbidden by the Nazis to paint. Edvard Munch invited him to Norway. These are the jagged cliffs of the Lofted archipelago. Those contrasting colors and especially the black give a rhythm to what could be described as a flat structure. I stood there looking at it for more than a few minutes.
 

"Paysage montagneux" - date ?

Another period. Abstractions. I must add though that I didn’t stay for too long in the World War ll gallery. The first question that comes to mind. How will artists fill the void left by 12 years of totalitarianism and war devastation? German art had to be reinvented. Many of them are waiting for a saving impulse coming from France, which more than any other government and especially military relies on its cultural policy. Very much affected by the war, France tends to assert its cultural influence. But Germany is impatient to reunite with its own avant-gardes, classified as degenerate during the war. The two countries progressively « join forces » which leads to a Franco-German cultural agreement n 1954. Abstract Expressionism sees the day - and that is one of my favorite movements.

Jean-Paul Riopelle (1922-2002) A painter and sculptor from Quebec, Canada. He became the first Canadian painter to attain widespread international recognition. This painting « Symphonie » done in 1958 is right up my ally. energy is bursting forward and even if the colors are not really bright, the white becomes the main color of interest - for me.

 

"Symphonie" - 1958

"Captive" - 1953

Maurice Estève (1904-2001)  French. In 1913 he moved to Paris with his parents, where he soon began his education as an artist. Among the modern artists, Paul Cézanne had the greatest influence on him. His work is not unlike Serge Poliakoff although I think that Poliakoff has a little more freedom. His shapes sometimes superimpose one another.

"Azurale" - 1959

A painting by Ernest Wilhelm Nay is very different from the previous painting you saw and much more in line with what I like in this movement.



 

"Compoisition à l'oiseau" - 1951

 This too is a strange composition by Roger Bissière. Not so far off from stained glass windows. Here there is the undeniable influence of Paul Klee..what do you think?

"Coranii" - 1977

Someone new again. Emil Schumacher (1912-1999) A German painter  and an important representative of abstract expressionism in post-war Germany.  I thought I knew most of the artists belonging to that movement, but apparently not. It’s a work on wood, very symmetric and really stood out in the gallery.

 This was one in different kinds of wood but difficult to see in a photo.

"Tonalité en rougeé

Adolf Richard Fleischmann( 1892-1968) A German abstract painter. I have come across his work before. He had to leave France in order to escape the Nazis. He has a very distinctive style and was a precursor of the Op Art (a term used that groups together artistic research based on optical illusions). Here you can see the optical effect as the lines seem to advance or recede.




». 

"Entre un brun calciné et un bleu de plomb" - 1981

Gerhard Hoehme (1920-1989). He was a pilot before he took up painting. I could see the influence of his flights in the early years but this painting came as quite shock. He had definitely changed his style by 1981. It’c called « Between a charred brown and a lead blue 



 Bernard Schultz (1915-2005). I think I saw some of his work when he was part of the Action Painting and Tachisme groups. Here again, this was not quite what I was expecting as I seem to remember his earlier painting was not quite as busy. This is called « Spontaneity in Grey » 1952. 

"Spontanément en gris" - 1952

"Composition, abstraite" - 1957

Another painting of Serge Poliakoff . I had already seen this Abstract composition in red, blue and black » in a retrospective of his work. He limits the movement and seems to put the pieces together like in a puzzle. I like it.



Will it never end ? Another new artist of this abstraction period. Karl Otto Götz (born in 1914 - ) A German artist, film maker, draughtsman, printmaker, writer and professor of art at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. He is one of the oldest living and active artists who are older than 100 years of age and is known for his explosive and complex abstract forms. He apparently has never belonged to a movement over a long period and his style is changing all the time. Even now! All I can say to this is « WOW » It is titled  Mymel and done in 1960. Apparently too he was an important mediator between the French and the German artistic scenes, in particular through his participation in the CoBrA group. And  another artist who threw paint on a canvas…I must go further with him.

 

"Mymel" - 1960

« The Talpa Paintings N° 03"

It looked as if I was coming to the end of my journey. Still some new artists to discover. Olav Christopher Jenssen (born in 1954-  a Norwegian artist. Jenssen is considered one of the most acclaimed contemporary Norwegian artists, with a significant international career. He has  lived and worked in Berlin for years. There is something very ethereal about this painting called « The Talpa Paintings N° 03. I was glad to see something a little « less confused » than some of the previous work that I had discovered.

"Hypnotise-toi" - 2006

There were more artists but I gave them a perfunctory glimpse

After the 1970’s and after the rising influence of the American on the art market from the 1960’s, Europe loses its cultural hegemony. From the 1970’s the artistic scenes of France and Germany coexist more than they collaborate. Only some figures such as Anselm Kiefer (established in France) or in a different way Gerhard Richter surface out.

There is just this work which has no title or if there is one it is called « Hypnotise-toi » painted by Vincent Tavenne in 2006. He’s a very young man, born in 1961. Although he is French he now works and lives in Berlin so there is still a generation of artists that move from France to Germany or Germany to France.

It’s been a long haul and perhaps you have not read every word. Hopefully though I will have given you an idea of just how rich these two horizons were. I will go on following many of the artists and yet, there is always some hope that there will be new discoveries made and I too, will move on in my artistic tastes.