German
Basic data
Lyonel Feininger was a significant American painter and caricaturist known for his unique cubist and expressionist works. Born on July 17, 1871, in New York City, Feininger later moved to Germany where he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin. His works are characterized by abstract forms, clear lines, and vibrant colors. Feininger also worked as a caricaturist, regularly publishing his cartoons in magazines.
- Born: July 17, 1871
- Birthplace: New York City, USA
- Nationality: American
- Education: Studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin
- Teachers: Ernst Hancke, Karl Schlabitz
- Epoch: classical modernism
- Similar artists: Paul Klee, Josef Albers, Gabriele Münter, Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian
- Style: Cubism, Expressionism, Bauhaus
As a member of the famous Bauhaus, Feininger made significant contributions to the development of modern art and influenced an entire generation of artists.
Biography
Childhood & youth
Lyonel Charles Feininger was born in New York City on July 17, 1871. His parents, German immigrants, were musicians and Feininger grew up in an environment characterized by creativity and art. Even in his youth, he showed an interest in drawing and music. In 1887, at the age of 16, he traveled to Germany to study art at the Royal Academy in Berlin. Here he developed a strong connection to the European art scene, which had a lasting influence on his career.
Early career: caricatures and illustration
Feininger began his professional career as a caricaturist and illustrator for German and American magazines. His humorous and often satirical drawings can be seen in magazines such as Harper's Weekly and the German publication Ulks. In 1906, he was given the opportunity to create two comic series for the Chicago Sunday Tribune: “The Kin-der-Kids” and “Wee Willie Winkie's World”, which are now regarded as pioneers of modern comics. Despite his success, Feininger soon returned to painting, as he saw this as his true artistic expression.
Transition to painting and Expressionism
From 1908, Feininger devoted himself entirely to painting. Inspired by the movements of Cubism and Expressionism, he developed an unmistakable style that combined geometric forms, clear lines and a poetic atmosphere. His works often depict urban scenes, churches and landscapes, which are enveloped in a timeless, almost mystical mood through a play of light and form.
In 1913, Feininger was accepted into the group Der Blaue Reiter, which was led by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc. This membership strengthened his links to the avant-garde art scene in Germany and brought him international recognition.
Bauhaus period
In 1921, Feininger was invited by Walter Gropius to work as a teacher at the Bauhaus in Weimar. There he headed the graphic design workshop and influenced a new generation of artists. During his time at the Bauhaus, he developed a preference for woodcuts, which further developed his characteristic aesthetic of clear forms and lines. One of his most famous works from this period is “Cathedral” (1919), which serves as the title page of the Bauhaus manifesto and symbolizes the visionary ideas of the school.
Return to the USA and later years
After the National Socialists seized power in 1933, Feininger's art was classified as “degenerate” and he returned to the USA in 1937. He found a new home there and continued to devote himself to painting. His works from this phase are often nostalgic and reflect his memories of Germany, combined with his impressions of the American landscape.
Feininger remained artistically active until his death in 1956. His work includes paintings, drawings, woodcuts and caricatures that show his versatility and creativity.
Legacy
Today, Lyonel Feininger is considered one of the most important artists of classical modernism. His combination of Cubism, Expressionism and a personal, poetic visual language influenced numerous artists. His works are represented in the world's most important museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
Exhibitions
- 27.10.2023 - 18.02.2024 Lyonel Feininger - Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt.
- 28.03.2021 - 12.09.2021 Becoming Feininger. Lyonel Feininger zum 150. Geburtstag - Lyonel-Feininger-Galerie, Quedlinburg.
- 25.05.2019 - 02.09.20219 Die Feiningers. Ein Familienbild am Bauhaus - Lyonel-Feininger-Galerie, Quedlinburg.
Films
- Lyonel Feininger – Ein Künstler zwischen den Welten, documentary, Mathias Frick, NDR, 53 min, Germany 2024.
Literature
- Years of Friendship, 1944-1956: The Correspondence of Lyonel Feininger and Mark Tobey, Achim Moeller, Berlin 2024.
- Lyonel Feininger – Retrospektive, Ingrid Peiffer, Munich 2023.
- Becoming Feininger. Lyonel Feininger zum 150. Geburtstag, Christian Philipsen, Petersberg 2021.
Collections
USA
- New York - The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Washington D.C. - National Gallery of Art
Germany
- Berlin - Bauhaus-Archiv
- Cologne - Museum Ludwig
- Frankfurt am Main - Städel Museum
- Quedlinburg- Museum Lyonel Feininger
France
- Paris - Centre Pompidou
England
- London - Tate Modern
Schwitzerland
- Basel - Fondation Beyeler
Weblinks
- Official website of the Lyonel Feininger Galerie in Quedlinburg (Germany), the world's only museum dedicated to the painter
