Frühling (1898)
Heinrich Vogeler (1872-1942) was part of agroup of artists who lived in the village of Worpswede, near Bremen, around 1900. Worpswede became a central meeting point for artists. Other well-known artists who worked and lived there were Otto Modersohn, Paula Becker and Hans am Ende. They were inspired by the lovely landscape, in particular the colourful moors, and the traditional simple life in the villages. The artists also contributed to the building of nice architectural houses in the village, which for agreat part can still be admired. Vogeler bought a house called the Barkenhoff, which he largely rebuilt and where he lived for many years. The place was frequently visited by various artists and writers.
Vogeler was one of the most important German Jugendstil painters. Many books were also illustrated by him. He was a versatile artist, besides painting and graphic work he also wrote poems and in later years he designed buildings, furniture and interiors. He also became involved in politics, he was a revolutionary, a pacifist, an utopian. He became interested in communism, and in 1931 he moved to Russia. Eventually he died in Kazachastan in 1931.
Rainer Maria Rilke wrote about the Worpswede artists, and in 1902 he also wrote a study about Vogeler. This book has now been reprinted. This is not a coincidence, because of a large Rilke.Worpswede exhibition in the Kunsthalle in Bremen in 2003.
More websites:
www.askerterapeutene.no/vogeler/
www.heinrich-vogeler-gesellschaft.de/
www.worpswede.de/
www.radiobremen.de/online/kultur/vogeler/
Liebe (1898)
Sommerabend (drawing, 1902)
Mühle im Teufelsmoor (1902)
Sommerabend auf dem Barkenhoff (1905)
