Charlotte Berend-Corinth first engaged with formal art instruction at the Royal School of Art in Berlin and the Berliner Kunstgewerbemuseum, under the tutelage of Eva Stort and Max Schäfer. This training provided the foundation for a professional trajectory that spanned painting, lithography, and illustration, eventually establishing her as a participant in the notable Berlin Secession movement.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1880 in Berlin, Berend-Corinth moved into the professional art sphere at the turn of the century. In 1901, she became the inaugural student at the private art school operated by Lovis Corinth. Following their marriage on 26 March 1903, she adopted the hyphenated name Berend-Corinth. Her role shifted between that of a student, a model for her husband—as evidenced by the work Portrait of Charlotte Berend in a White Dress—and an independent practitioner.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Professional Integration and Exhibition
Berend-Corinth began presenting her paintings at the Berliner Secession in 1906. By 1912, she secured formal membership in the group. She maintained her association with the Secession even following the internal split led by Max Liebermann, remaining active as the organization underwent leadership transitions. Her professional output included book illustrations for subjects such as Max Pallenberg, Fritzi Massary, and Valeska Gert, alongside commissioned portraits of figures like Michael Bohnen, Werner Krauss, Paul Bildt, and Paul Graetz.
Retirement and Emigration
In 1919, the couple purchased a house in Urfeld at Walchensee, providing a retreat from their primary life in Berlin. During this period, she focused on landscape painting and still lifes. Following the death of Lovis Corinth in 1925, she continued to work, participating in the 1932 Summer Olympics art competition. In 1933, she emigrated to the United States to join her son, Thomas, in New York City. She remained there until her death in 1967 and was buried at Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf.
Legacy and Documentation
Beyond her own creative output, Berend-Corinth played a role in preserving the history of German art. In 1958, she published a comprehensive catalog of the complete paintings of Lovis Corinth. This volume established itself as a standard reference in the field, remaining in academic use, including in a 1992 edition edited by Béatrice Hernad.
Fast facts
- Born: 1880, Berlin
- Died: 1967, New York City
- Spouse: Lovis Corinth
- Children: Thomas Corinth, Wilhelmine Corinth
- Notable Membership: Berlin Secession
- Emigration Year: 1933
- Citizenship: Germany, Italy
- Burial Site: Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Charlotte Berend-Corinth paint?
She focused on landscapes, still lifes, and portraiture, including subjects such as Michael Bohnen, Werner Krauss, Paul Bildt, and Paul Graetz.
Did she continue her art career after moving to the United States?
Yes, she continued her work and in 1958 published a standard catalog documenting the complete paintings of Lovis Corinth.
Achievements
- Worked as painter, model and draftsperson
