KARL HARTUNG

In 1923, the son of a carpenter began his training as a wood sculptor inthe workshops of Carl Briese. He continued his studies from 1925 at theState Schools for Applied Arts in Hamburg under the sculptor JohannMichael Bossard.In 1929, the artist received a scholarship from the LichtwerkFoundation, after which he moved to Paris. There he intensively studiedanthroposophy (literally “wisdom of man”, founded by Rudolf Steiner). In1932 Hartung moved into a studio in Florence with the painter IlseQuast. There he worked under the influence of Michelangelo andDonatello.

Over the years, Hartung developed his very own formal language.Beginning figuratively, his work moved towards abstraction andultimately pursued a middle course of the two directions. His work isnot only reflected in his works, but also in his manifold teachingactivities. He is one of the most important pioneers of modern art inpost-war Germany.