Kurt Schwitters was a German painter born on June 20, 1887, in Hanover, Germany. Kurt was the only child of his parents. In 1900, he traveled with his father to the World’s Art Fair in Paris. Kurt enrolled at the Dresden Academy in 1909, studying there till 1915. Since 1901, Schwitters struggled with epilepsy, which saw him initially exempted from military service.
In 1918, Schwitters held his first solo exhibition at the Der Sturm Gallery in Berlin and earned recognition from the public and artists of the Dada movement. Schwitters started producing the Merz magazine in 1923, which he had named his unique style. He also worked as a graphic designer and typographer for children’s stories.
Though Schwitters did not achieve much commercial success, he exhibited widely all over Europe. The later years of Schwitter’s career saw him move around frequently due to the war. Eventually settling in the United Kingdom, Schwitters suffered a health condition that left him bedridden before his death on January 8, 1948.
What was Kurt Schwitters Known For?
Kurt Schwitters was known for applying various genres and mediums, such as painting, poetry, installations, typography, and sculpture. Schwitters made collages with street litter and scraps, focused on aesthetics, and conveyed meanings that were relatively translated by viewers.
Who was Kurt Schwitters Influenced By?
Kurt Schwitters was influenced by artists of the Dada movement, such as Hans Arp and El Lissitzky, and Raoul Hausmann. Schwitters shifted to the Dada art style in 1918 after associating with the network of avant-garde artists in Berlin. At the same time, due to financial constraints, Schwitters made aesthetic artworks out of street litter and scraps.
What Art Movement was Kurt Schwitters Associated With?
Kurt Schwitters was associated with the Dada art movement.
Kurt Schwitters Artwork
Below are some of the artworks of Kurt Schwitters
