Christian Rohlfs

Christian Rohlfs (* 22 December 1849 in Niendorf, district of Segeberg; † 8 January 1938 in Hagen) was a German painter and pioneer of modernism. His work reflects several important contemporary trends, including classical Academy painting, later Impressionism, and finally Expressionism.

Christian Rohlfs Education and Early Work

Christian Rohlfs was born in Niendorf on 22 December 1849. At the age of fifteen, Rohlfs falled from a tree and injures his leg, which led to two years of bedriddenness. His attending doctor provides him with painting utensils against the emerging boredom, and quickly recognized the boy’s potential. On Theodor Storm’s recommendation, Rohlfs visits the painter and writer Ludwig Pietsch in Berlin in 1869. In 1870, he began studying art at the Grand Ducal Academy in Weimar. In 1873, he had to interrupt his studies due to the amputation of his right leg. At the academy he was given a freelance position by Paul Thomann and created mainly naturalistic works. In 1876, he began his apprenticeship with Alexander Struys.

After completing his studies, Christian Rohlfs was declared an independent artist on 15 June 1884. As a freelance artist, he increasingly turned to Impressionism from 1880 onwards. His works were exhibited at the Academy of Arts in Berlin in 1890.

Christian Rohlfs and Karl Ernst Osthaus

Through the mediation of the architect Henry van de Velde, contact is made with Karl Ernst Osthaus, who is busy founding the Folkwang Museum in Hagen. At Osthaus’ request, Rohlfs moves to Hagen a year later. In 1903, in the newly opened Folkwang Museum, the artist saw works by contemporary French painters for the first time. In the same year, he produced his first watercolours.

Rohlfs made the acquaintance of Dr. Kaesbach, an important patron of Expressionism, in 1904. In the same year, the artist travelled to Soest for a working visit. The medieval churches and buildings of Soest can still be found in his works until the 1920s. During a stay in Soest in 1905 Rohlfs met Emil Nolde, with whom a close friendship quickly developed. From 1906 Rohlfs’ works show an expressive painting style.

In 1909 his works were exhibited at the Folkwang Museum. In 1911, he became a member of the artists’ group “Neue Secession” in Berlin and joined the “Freie Secession” in 1914.

Rohlfs married Helene Vogt in 1919. In the same year, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, special exhibitions are held at the Nationalgalerie in Berlin, the Kestner-Gesellschaft in Hanover, and the Galerie Flechtheim in Düsseldorf. The public’s positive response gives the artist new impetus. A special exhibition followed in 1920 at Paul Cassirer’s art gallery in Berlin.

Late years

The city of Hagen made Christian Rohlfs an honorary citizen in 1924. At the same time, he became a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts. The Düsseldorf Art Academy appointed him an extraordinary member in 1925.

In 1927 the artist made his first trip to Ascona on Lake Maggiore, where he mainly spent the last decade of his life. There he met Marianne von Werefkin, among others. In 1929, the Christian-Rohlfs-Museum was founded in Hagen in honour of the 80-year-old (today Osthaus Museum Hagen).

In 1937 Rohlfs was declared “degenerate” by the National Socialists and all his works were removed from German museums. His last exhibition was held at the Galerie F. Möller in Cologne. On 8 January 1938 Christian Rohlfs died in Hagen. Various exhibitions are held in his memory in Switzerland.