Rudolf Großmann began his formal academic path not in fine arts, but by studying medicine and philosophy in Munich between 1902 and 1904. He eventually pivoted toward the visual arts, establishing himself as a German painter, illustrator, and graphic artist whose career spanned the volatile transition of early twentieth-century Europe before concluding in his native Freiburg im Breisgau.
Early Influences and European Travel
Born in 1882 to a family with deep artistic connections, Großmann was the grandson of the Baden court painter Wilhelm Dürr and the son of portrait painter Marie. Following his initial university studies, he relocated to Paris for five years to train under Lucien Simon. During this period, he focused on landscape painting, drawing significant inspiration from the style of Paul Cézanne. His commitment to travel defined his formative years; he journeyed to Belgium and the Netherlands with Jules Pascin, and later completed study trips through France, Sweden, Austria, and Hungary.
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Upon settling in Berlin, Großmann focused on portraiture and illustration. His drawings of contemporary figures appeared frequently in the satirical magazine Simplicissimus. His professional standing grew, leading to his membership in the Berlin Secession and the Deutscher Künstlerbund. By 1928, he reached an academic milestone by becoming a professor at the Royal School of Art. During this time, he also lived in Italy with the artist Hans Purrmann, maintaining his international connections despite his established role within the German art community.
Political Marginalization
The ascent of the National Socialist government in 1934 brought Großmann’s institutional career to an abrupt end. He was dismissed from his professorship and returned to his hometown of Freiburg im Breisgau. His output was officially categorized as degenerate art, resulting in the confiscation of 206 individual works. Three of these pieces were eventually featured in the 1937 Degenerate Art Exhibition, a propagandistic display organized by the state to denounce his aesthetic contributions. He remained in his hometown until his death in 1941.
Fast facts
- Born: 25 January 1882, Freiburg im Breisgau
- Died: 28 November 1941, Freiburg im Breisgau
- Citizenship: German Reich
- Academic post: Professor at the Royal School of Art, 1928
- Artistic associations: Berlin Secession, Deutscher Künstlerbund
- Primary medium: Portraiture, landscape painting, and graphic illustration
- Key influences: Lucien Simon, Paul Cézanne
Questions readers ask
What happened to his art during the Nazi era?
The government labeled his work degenerate, confiscated 206 pieces, and displayed three of them in the 1937 Degenerate Art Exhibition.
What professional positions did he hold?
He was a professor at the Royal School of Art and a member of both the Berlin Secession and the Deutscher Künstlerbund.
