Erich Heckel Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Biography

Growing up in a period of change and upheaval, Erich Heckel's early life was a prelude to a career that would significantly influence the German Expressionist movement. His initial foray into the arts was not through formal training, but a self-directed path, driven by an interest in the burgeoning art scene of the early 20th century. The seeds of his artistic inclinations were sown during his time at the University of Dresden, where he studied architecture.

However, it was his encounter with fellow artists Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff that truly ignited his passion for painting. Together, they formed the Die Brücke group in 1905, a seminal moment marking the dawn of Expressionism in Germany. Heckel's early works, characterised by bold colours and emotive figures, reflected his deep engagement with the human condition, a theme that would continue to permeate his oeuvre.

Throughout his professional career, Heckel distinguished himself as a master of expression, with his work often reflecting the socio-political climate of Germany at the time. His participation in key exhibitions, including the influential Berlin Secession, brought his style to a wider audience, cementing his role as a significant figure in the German art scene. Heckel's art, notable for its intense emotionality and striking use of colour, focused on themes of existential angst.

Heckel's involvement in significant exhibitions, such as the 1912 Sonderbund Exhibition in Cologne, where he displayed alongside artists like Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, provided a significant recognition of his contributions to modern art. His collaboration with other avant-garde artists of his time, such as Emil Nolde and Max Pechstein, further amplified his influence, helping shape the direction of German art.

Heckel's visits to ethnographic museums introduced him to African and Oceanic art forms, sparking a new transformation in his work. These artworks, characterised by their bold shapes, stark lines, and spiritual intensity, resonated with Heckel, inspiring him to incorporate similar elements into his own compositions. This influence is particularly evident in his portrayal of the human form, where he adopted a more abstracted and emotionally charged approach. Heckel's embrace of these non-European aesthetics was a deep-rooted appreciation that helped him break free from traditional Western artistic conventions, leading to a more expressive and emotionally resonant style that became a hallmark of his contributions to Expressionism.
During the Nazi regime, Heckel, like many of his contemporaries in the Expressionist movement, was subjected to severe persecution. The regime's aggressive stance against what it recognised as 'degenerate art' led to the seizure of hundreds of Heckel's works from German museums. This purge was part of a larger campaign to denigrate and suppress modern art, which the Nazis viewed as an affront to their ideologically driven aesthetic values. In 1937, many of Heckel's confiscated pieces were disgracefully exhibited in the Degenerate Art exhibition in Munich, a propagandistic event designed to mock and discredit the modern art movement. This period was a dark chapter in Heckel's career, as it was for the broader art community, reflecting the tumultuous intersection of art and politics during this era.
After the devastation of World War II, Heckel played a large role in the rehabilitation of German art. Recognising the need for artistic renewal and the nurturing of new talent, he took up a teaching position at the Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Arts. In this role, Heckel became a guiding force in the post-war art scene, imparting his knowledge and experience to a new generation of emerging artists. His teaching instilled a sense of purpose and direction in a country grappling with the aftermath of war and cultural upheaval.