Bernard Schultze biography

Bernard Schultze, born on May 31, 1915, in Schneidemühl (now Piła, Poland), was a German artist, known as one of the leading representatives of gestural abstract painting in Europe. His life and work, characterized by a strong innovative and experimental spirit, make him a key figure in 20th-century art. Bernard Schultze's artistic journey began in Germany, where he studied in Berlin and later in Düsseldorf. During his youth, he witnessed and participated in the tumultuous events of Europe, from World War II to the post-war reconstruction. His early works, produced before 1945, were destroyed during an air raid on Berlin, an event that profoundly marked his artistic expression. His first solo exhibition was held in Mannheim in 1947, marking the beginning of a prolific career rich in accolades.
In the 1950s, Bernard Schultze distinguished himself by founding the Quadriga group together with Karl Otto Götz, Otto Greis, and Heinz Kreutz. This group, influenced by surrealism and André Breton, marks the beginning of Informal Art in Germany. In 1952, the group exhibited for the first time with the "Neuexpressionisten" exhibition in Frankfurt, where they presented abstract, gestural, and colorful painting, in clear break with previous artistic traditions."
Bernard Schultze's innovation is clearly manifested in his "relief paintings", started in 1957. These works, created with various materials such as paper, wire, scraps of fabric, and assorted debris, represent a fantastic and sometimes unsettling universe. The figure of the "Migof mannequin" emerges as a recurring element in his creations, symbolizing the artist's exploration into the depths of the unconscious and existentialism. These works highlight his interest in destruction and reconstruction, themes evident in his deformed compositions and colors evocative of wounds and decomposition.
During his career, Bernard Schultze travels extensively, spending time in New York, Paris, and other major cities. These stays significantly influence his style, leading him to incorporate elements of American Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. His work develops in various directions, including zoomorphic figures and landscapes in pastel tones, as well as works on paper and sculptures.
Bernard Schultze's solo exhibitions and retrospectives are held in prestigious galleries and museums around the world, such as the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, the Museum of Modern Art in Céret, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Tate Collection in London, the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam, and the MoMA in New York. His art is characterized by a unique chromatic poetry, expressed in sculptures, environments, and large-format paintings.
During his lifetime, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Art Prize of the City of Cologne in 1969. He was elected a member of the Academy of Arts in Berlin in 1972, and during the 1980s, he created large-format works, introducing the "tabuskri", intersections of painting and graphic structures.
Bernard Schultze spends the last years of his life between Paris and Cologne, continuing to explore and experiment until his death on April 14, 2005. His artistic legacy is fundamental to the development of abstract and informal art, leaving an indelible mark on the history of contemporary art.