Peacock Blooming

Otto Herbig, born on December 31, 1889, in Dorndorf, Werra, was a German artist, credited of being the torchbearer of the German Expressionism. As a school student, he seemed enthralled by the architectural brilliance of his native city, as was evident in his earlier paintings. Owing to his artistic aptitude, Otto Herbig got himself enrolled into the Munich Art Academy, during 1909 to 1911. At the academy, the artist was introduced to 'Expressionism,' which impressed him deeply. In 1912-1913, he studied at the Art School, Weimar, where he met his fellow Expressionists, such as Rudolf Wacker, Otto Pankok, and Gert Wollheim. In 1913, Otto Herbig met the famous German sculptor, Ernst Penzoldt, and together, they took a voyage to Paris. Otto eventually settled down at Berlin. Within the company of Ernst Penzoldt, Herbig learnt a lot about 'Expressionism,' which was instrumental in improving his style of work.

Herbig enlisted in the military service during World War I, and worked as a medical technician in Ostend. Here he met his other contemporaries, such as Erich Heckel, Max Anton Kerschbaumer Kaus, and James Ensor. Despite the adverse political conditions during war, these artists developed the strong bonds of friendship, and together they nurtured their creative skills. The hardships of the war were vehemently expressed in Otto's lithographic works, which he later published as "Die Schaffenden (The Creators)."

Post war, in 1919, Otto returned to Berlin and got married. His lithographs were now laden with domestic sentiments, usually centered on the subtle relationship of a mother and her child. Some of his noteworthy paintings from the league are "Dormant mother," "The Bath (1921)," "Kissing mother (1923)," and "Mother and Child (1924)." Herbig faced a lot of trauma due to his wife's death in 1926, followed by that of his son's, Tyl, in 1928. His personal struggle brought about a significant change in his style of work, which became more understated, and full of personal emotions. Otto remarried in the year 1929.

The artist visited Italy several times from 1928 through 1931, and then again in 1957 and 58. In 1929, Herbig earned a fellowship at the Villa Massimo in Rome with Schmidt-Rottluff and Kerschbaumer, the members of the famed 'Expressionist' group, 'Die Brücke.' Otto Herbig joined the group and started displaying his work in its exhibitions. During the Second World War, from 1933 to 1939, like many other 'Modernist' artists' works, the Nazis regarded Otto Herbig's works too as 'degenerate art,' and were prohibited from any kind of public display.

Post-war, through 1945-1955, Herbig worked as a professor at the art school in Weimar. During 1955-62, he stayed at Kleinmachnow, Berlin, to settle finally at Weilheim, Bavaria in 1962. All this while, Otto had been painting again, and his creations carried the flavor of the style he had adopted from the other 'Die Brücke' members. His famous paintings of these times were "Bust shrubs and flowers before (1949)," "Blooming Trees in the Garden (1950)," and "Manner irises and girls head (1965)." Otto Herbig died on June 13, 1971, at Weilheim, in Bavaria. He was highly appreciated at various art galleries, such as National Gallery East Berlin (1962), Möller, Nierendorf, and von der Heyde.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art. Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com

Peacock blooming