Ernst Barlach Museum Güstrow

Ernst Barlach Museum Güstrow
(http://www.ernst-barlach-stiftung.de/index.php?id=161 )
The northern German sculptor and graphic artist Ernst Barlach began his professional education in
Hamburg. In 1888 Berlach attended a vocational school. In 1891 the artist attended the Dresden
'Akademie', where he continued to study sculpture and became Robert Diez's master student. During
two study trips to Paris in 1895 and 1897 Barlach's well-founded academic training was reinforced. His
artistic work was influenced greatly by a trip to Russia in 1906. The powerful and folk-like design of
Barlach's sculptures after this time reflect the impressions of rugged farm-life and Russian folk art.
During these years Barlach also produced graphic illustration cycles for his own plays. In 1910 Ernst
Barlach settled in Güstrow (Mecklenburg), Germany. In 1917 Barlach had his first exhibition at
Paul Cassirer's in Berlin. In 1919 the sculptor was admitted to the 'Preußische Akademie der Künste'
in Berlin as a full member. During the following years Barlach produced numerous wood carvings,
including one on Goethe's 'Walpurgisnacht'. In 1928 Barlach published his autobiography entitled 'Ein
selbsterzähltes Leben' ('A Selftold Life'). In 1930 a comprehensive exhibition of Barlach's sculptures
and graphic works took place at the 'Preussische Akademie der Künste' in Berlin. In 1933 the artist
received the order 'Pour le mérité'. In 1935, commission by Hermann F. Reemtsma, Barlach designed
the 'Fries der Lauschenden' and a tombstone for Theodor Däubler. During the years that followed, the
sculptor was ostracized by the Nazis. In 1936 Barlach's works were systematically removed from
museums, churches, and public spaces. Today, Ernst Barlach is known as one of the most
important sculptors of Classical Modernism. Excellent examples of his expressionist wood and
bronze sculptures can now be seen at the Güstrow Cathedral, the Elisabeth Church in Marburg
and the Berlin National Gallery. Ernst Barlach's home and studio in Güstrow is now open to the
public as a museum (http://www.barlach-ernst.de/e/index.shtml )
With a volume of over 1.100 items the Ernst Barlach Stiftung Güstrow houses the largest cohesive inventory of
drawings and additionally sculptures and prints of that famous German artist Ernst Barlach (1870-1938). The
artist`s sketch book and notebooks of wich only few are known also have to be examined as part of this large
assortment of drawings. The Ernst Barlach Stiftung Güstrow possesses 111 samples of such books.
Atelierhaus

Research project: Drawings by Ernst Barlach
(1870-1938, Germany)
In the past years, we have completed oeuvre catalogues on the prints and sculptures of Ernst Barlach (1870-
1938). The third part of this research programme is dedicated to Barlach`s drawings. This new oeuvre catalogue,
now in preparation, is part of an ambitious programme to re-evaluate the artist`s entire esatate. The Ernst von
Siemens Kulturstiftung is financing this long-term research programme.
With a volume of over 1.100 items the Ernst Barlach Stiftung Güstrow houses the largest cohesive inventory of
drawings. The Ernst Barlach Haus Hamburg, Stiftung Hermann F. Reemstma owns further 400 drafts, sketches
and autonomous depictions. In addition, there are approximatly 1.000 works in public and private collections.
The artist`s sketch book and notebooks of wich only few are known also have to be examined as part of this
large assortment of drawings. The Ernst Barlach Stiftung Güstrow possesses 111 samples of such books.
A major task of this projekt is to verify the whereabouts of the works and check their actual stat; not in every
case, do the records mentioned in the oeuvre catalogue by Friedrich Schult from 1971 still apply and many of the
works have not been catalogued yet. The Ernst Barlach Stiftung Güstrow would, therefore, like to ask interested
people and collectors for details which may lead to the clarification of these questions.
Mann mit Stock, sich zu einem Hund neigend, 1908; Feder über Bleistift
Versuchung, 1915/16; Kohle
Junge Frau mit angehobener Schürze, 1915; Kohle
Abwehrender, 1918; Kohle