Watercolor and ink brush. Signed in lower left. On cardboard. 70 x 50 cm. , the full sheet. [CH]. - A particularly delightfully composed floral still life with a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, an image section that emphasizes the motif and in harmonious colors. - The watercolor technique is of central importance in Schmidt-Rottluff's oeuvre: watercolors dominated his oeuvre from the "Brücke" years to his last creative phase in the 1970s. - In 1989 part of the major retrospective exhibitions at the Lenbachhaus in Munich and the Kunsthalle Bremen. The work is documented in the archive of the Karl and Emy Schmidt-Rottluff Foundation, Berlin. LITERATURE: Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 4155, SHG no. 745 (illu., p. 414). Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, p. 118, SHG no. 266 (illu.).
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Retrospektive, Kunsthalle Bremen, July 16 - September 10, 1989, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich, September 27 - December 3, 1989, cat. no. 309, p. 282 (illu.). Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 1995-2001). Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, Halle an der Saale (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2001-2017). Buchheim Museum, Bernried (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2017-2022)
Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Würzburg (with the collector's stamp Lugt 6032)
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff's watercolors constitute a major contribution to the art of German Modernism in the first half of the 20th century. His first watercolors date back to 1905, however, unlike many other artists, he did not use them as sketches of subjects for paintings. With their strong colors and bold forms, his watercolors stand on an equal footing as independent compositions. In his depictions of flowers, Schmidt-Rottluff sought an expression far beyond any botanical interest, one that defines the topos and at the same time leaves sufficient room for artistic freedom in the composition. This resulted in a loose integration of flower arrangements into the surrounding space. The pure splendor unfolds without restraint within a framework of contour lines. Power and clarity, simple motifs reduced to their basic forms, are the defining elements of Schmidt-Rottluff's late watercolors.
A large-format sheet in bright colors and in good condition. Very few small rubbied spots. Remains of paper mounting tape in the right margin.
Lot Details
Watercolor and ink brush. Signed in lower left. On cardboard. 70 x 50 cm. , the full sheet. [CH]. - A particularly delightfully composed floral still life with a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, an image section that emphasizes the motif and in harmonious colors. - The watercolor technique is of central importance in Schmidt-Rottluff's oeuvre: watercolors dominated his oeuvre from the "Brücke" years to his last creative phase in the 1970s. - In 1989 part of the major retrospective exhibitions at the Lenbachhaus in Munich and the Kunsthalle Bremen. The work is documented in the archive of the Karl and Emy Schmidt-Rottluff Foundation, Berlin. LITERATURE: Heinz Spielmann (ed.), Die Maler der Brücke. Sammlung Hermann Gerlinger, Stuttgart 1995, p. 4155, SHG no. 745 (illu., p. 414). Hermann Gerlinger, Katja Schneider (eds.), Die Maler der Brücke. Inventory catalog Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Halle (Saale) 2005, p. 118, SHG no. 266 (illu.).
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. Retrospektive, Kunsthalle Bremen, July 16 - September 10, 1989, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich, September 27 - December 3, 1989, cat. no. 309, p. 282 (illu.). Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landesmuseum, Schloss Gottorf, Schleswig (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 1995-2001). Kunstmuseum Moritzburg, Halle an der Saale (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2001-2017). Buchheim Museum, Bernried (permanent loan from the Hermann Gerlinger Collection, 2017-2022)
Hermann Gerlinger Collection, Würzburg (with the collector's stamp Lugt 6032)
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff's watercolors constitute a major contribution to the art of German Modernism in the first half of the 20th century. His first watercolors date back to 1905, however, unlike many other artists, he did not use them as sketches of subjects for paintings. With their strong colors and bold forms, his watercolors stand on an equal footing as independent compositions. In his depictions of flowers, Schmidt-Rottluff sought an expression far beyond any botanical interest, one that defines the topos and at the same time leaves sufficient room for artistic freedom in the composition. This resulted in a loose integration of flower arrangements into the surrounding space. The pure splendor unfolds without restraint within a framework of contour lines. Power and clarity, simple motifs reduced to their basic forms, are the defining elements of Schmidt-Rottluff's late watercolors.
A large-format sheet in bright colors and in good condition. Very few small rubbied spots. Remains of paper mounting tape in the right margin.
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff 
