Karl Schmidt-Rottluff 1884 – 1976

Biography

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff was born on December 1, 1884, in the small town of Rottluff, Germany. Throughout his life, he would carry his birthplace in his adopted surname, a testament to his roots. He spent much of his career as an artist in Germany, contributing to the cultural landscape of his nation during a transformative period in European art history.

Schmidt-Rottluff’s life spanned nearly a century, witnessing profound changes in both art and society. He remained active in his artistic pursuits through much of the twentieth century, living through two world wars and the subsequent division of Germany. His longevity allowed him to experience multiple generations and artistic movements.

On August 10, 1976, Schmidt-Rottluff passed away in West Berlin at the age of 91. His final resting place was chosen at Waldfriedhof Dahlem, a cemetery in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district of Berlin. In death, he was laid to rest in the city that had become central to his later years, leaving behind a legacy that continued to influence the artistic communities that remembered him.