Karl Hofer - Litho, seated (half-body portrait) Signed: Hofer

Carl Hofer (1878 – 1955) Seated (half-body portrait) Lithograph 39.2 x 35.2 cm Signed by: Hofer Slightly darkened at the edges, otherwise in good condition for age
German artist
The work of the German artist Karl Hofer is considered to belong to the movement of expressionism. He worked in Italy and France. In 1914 he settled in Berlin where he joined the artistic movement around Max Liebermann, Max Slevogt and Paul Cassirer.
Course
Karl Christian Ludwig Hofer was born on 11 October 1878 in Karlsruhe. In his native city, Karl Hofer studied at the Bürgerschule. After working as an apprentice in the court publishing house for four years, Karl was accepted at the Baden Academy in 1897. Karl Hofer was a pupil of Hans Thoma.
Theodor Reinhart
Around the turn of the century, Karl Hofer lived in Paris, where he studied the new art movements of Symbolism and Art Nouveau. In 1901, he returned to Karlsruhe. Thanks to commissions and financial support from the merchant and art collector Theodor Reinhart, Karl was able to study under Leopold von Kalckreuth at the academy in Stuttgart.
Italy
From 1903 to 1908 Karl Hofer worked in Italy. In Italy Hofer became acquainted with the work of Arnold Böcklin, Hans Thoma and especially Hans von Marées. Hofer made his breakthrough after Julius Meier-Graefe mentioned him in his essays on new German art and artists. Karl Hofer travelled from Italy to France, where he would continue to work until 1913. In France Paul Cézanne was his main source of inspiration.
First World War
In 1914 Karl Hofer settled in Berlin, where he joined the newly founded artistic movement around Max Liebermann, Max Slevogt and Paul Cassirer. Karl Hofer spent most of the First World War in captivity. He was not released until 1917 in Zurich after a prisoner exchange.
Expressive work
After the First World War, Karl Hofer settled in Berlin again. In the twenties, he became one of the most important German artists of his time with his expressive work. In 1921, he was appointed as a lecturer at the Academy of Berlin-Charlottenburg. However, his work could not find favor in the eyes of the National Socialists. In 1938, he was excluded from various associations and lost his position at the academy.
Later years
In 1943, a large part of his work was lost during a bombing raid. After the Second World War, he became director of the Berlin Academy. He was also involved in the foundation of the Kulturbund of the GDR.
Death
Karl Hofer died on April 3, 1955 in Berlin at the age of 76 from a cerebral hemorrhage.
Text: Ruud van Capelleveen,
Author of Understanding Art and Looking at Art