Bernard Schultze biography

Bernard Schultze, born on 31 May 1915 in Schneidemühl (now Piła, Poland), was a German artist, known as one of the main representatives of abstract painting gestural 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 the Second World War to post-war reconstruction. His first 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 and award-winning career.
In the 1950s, Bernard Schultze was notable for founding the Quadriga group together to 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 exhibition "Neuexpressionisten" in Frankfurt, where it proposed an abstract, gestural and colorful painting, in clear break with previous artistic traditions.
Bernard Schultze's innovation is clearly manifested in his "relief paintings", begun in 1957. These works, made with different materials such as paper, wire, shreds of fabric and various debris, they represent a fantastic and sometimes disturbing 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 warped compositions and colors evocative of wounds and decay.
Throughout his career, Bernard Schultze travels extensively, spending periods in New York, Paris and other important cities. These stays greatly influenced his style, leading him to incorporate elements of American Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. His work developed in various directions, including zoomorphic figures and hued landscapes pastel, 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 Pompidou Center 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, which finds expression in large-format sculptures, environments and paintings.
Throughout his life, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Art Prize of the city ​​of Cologne in 1969. He was elected member of the Berlin Academy of Arts in 1972 and during the 1980s he created large-format works, introducing the "tabuskri ", intersections of painting and graphic structures.
Bernard Schultze spent 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 in the history of contemporary art.