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Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

German, 1878-1955

Carl Hofer was born in Germany in 1875. He was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that were considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902, he studied in Stuttgart and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller. His wife Mathilde Scheinberger was Jewish but later joined the Protestant faith. They traveled around Europe to Rome and Paris, where he was influenced by Paul Cezanne and Pablo Picasso. In 1908, he showed his work at the Berlin Succession founded by Max Liebermann. In 1913, he became a member of the New Freie Secession and was represented at its first exhibition in 1914 with Liebermann, Erich Heckel, Ernst, Ludwig, Kirchner, Max Pechstein and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff. After the first World War, he became a Professor at the College of Fine Arts in Charlottenburg. During the 20s, Hofer represented his style, which was later referred to as Magic Realism. After a love affair, Carl and Mathilde lived separately but remained married. With the rise of the Nazi party, he was fervently against the movement writing articles such as Fascism, the dark reaction, which was published by the Communist newspaper Welt am Abend. The Nazis claimed he was a Jew and defamed him on a poster in 1933 with Oskar Schlemmer. In the degenerate art exhibition in 1937, the Nazis represented 8 of his works as a propaganda exercise and in 1938 he was expelled from the Prussian Academy of Arts because of his marriage to Mathilde. He later divorced her but was still no longer allowed to sell his works. He married his lover Elizabeth Schmidt and the ban was lifted. Sadly his ex-wife was deported to Auschwitz and was killed in November 1942. After World War II, he regained his artistic prestige receiving awards and honorary doctorates and was very involved in the construction of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. Many of his works hang in modern art galleries and collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Kunsthalle Mannheim, Germany and Bavarian State Picture Collection, among many others. By the time of his death in 1955, he was considered one of the greatest living artists of his time.

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Artist: Carl Hofer
German Expressionist drawing of an abstracted form by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Abstracted form Pencil and pen and ink on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 11.3/8 x 7.1/2 in. (28.8 x 19 cm.) Provenance: These works c...
Category

Early 20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Pen, Pencil

German expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer' Whispering'
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Einflusterung (Whispering) Charcoal and pencil on paper Signed and inscribed ‘Einflusterung’ (lower middle) 17.1/4 x 13.3/8 in. (43.8 x 34 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

German Expressionist drawing of abstracted figures by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Abstract figures Pencil on paper 8.1/4 x 9 in. (21 x 23 cm.) With studio stamp (on the reverse) and signature of the artist’s wife Elizabeth Hofer Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pencil

German Expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer of lovers
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Die Liebenden (The lovers) Black ink and remnants of crayon on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 13.3/4 x 9.3/4 in. (35 x 24.8 cm.) P...
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20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Crayon, Paper, Ink

20th Century German Expressionist drawing of figures in a dream by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Figures from a dream Pencil and charcoal on paper Signed with initial ‘CH’ (lower right) 17 x 13 in. (43.2 x 33 cm.) Provenance: These works come fr...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Pencil

20th Century German Expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Der Traum (The dream) pencil on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 13 x 13 in. (33 x 33 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Paper

German expressionist drawing of a Bull Elephant by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Elefantenbulle (Bull elephant) Pencil on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 15.3/4 x 13.3/8 in. (40 x 34 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil, Paper

German Expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer of a mother and child
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Mother and son Black crayon on paper 10.1/2 x 7.3/4 in. (26.7 x 20 cm.) With studio stamp (on the reverse) and signature of the artist’s wife Elizabeth Hofer Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Crayon, Paper

German Expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer of one of his models
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Das Modell (The artist’s model) Black crayon on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 18 x 14.1/8 in. (45.8 x 36 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Crayon, Paper

German expressionist drawing of bathers by Carl Hofer 'Die Badegasten'
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Die Badegaste II (The bathers) Black crayon on paper 19.1/4 x 15 in. (49 x 38 cm.) With studio stamp (on the reverse) and signature of the artist’s wife Elizabeth Hofer Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by descent. Carl Hofer was a German expressionist painter and the director of the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. One of the most important painters of the Expressionist movement, his work was among those that was considered degenerate art by the Nazis. He studied in Karlsruhe under Hans Thoma. He first visited Paris in 1899 making acquaintance with Julius Meier-Graefe. In 1902 he studied in Stuttgardt and became friends with the sculptor Hermann Haller...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Crayon, Paper

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Previously Available Items
German Expressionist drawing of sisters by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Schwestern (Sisters) Ink on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 50.1/2 x 11.1/2 in. (39.4 x 29 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the ...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

German Expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer of a bather
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Die Badegastin (A bather) Pen and ink on paper Signed with initials ‘CH’ (lower right) 14.1/2 x 95/8 in. (37 x 24.5 cm.) Provenance: These works com...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Pen

German Expressionist drawing by Carl Hofer 'Birdman'
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Birdman Pen and ink on paper 7.1/2 x 11.3/8 in. (19 x 29 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s second wife Elizabeth and from then by d...
Category

20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Pen

20th Century German Expressionist drawing of bathers by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Die Badegaste (The bathers) Charcoal on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 22.1/2 x 16.1/4 in. (57.2 x 40.7 cm.) Provenance: These works ...
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20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal

German Expressionist drawing of a siren by Carl Hofer
By Carl Hofer
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
Carl Hofer (German, 1875 – 1955) Siren Black crayon on paper Signed with monogram ‘CH’ (lower right) 18.1/2 x 14.1/2 in. (47 x 37 cm.) Provenance: These works come from the artist’s...
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Early 20th Century Expressionist Carl Hofer Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

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German Expressionist drawing of a half man, half dog by Carl Hofer
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Carl Hofer drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Carl Hofer drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Carl Hofer in paper, pencil, crayon and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Expressionist style. Not every interior allows for large Carl Hofer drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of George Grosz, Lucien Génin, and Gail Foster. Carl Hofer drawings and watercolor paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,939 and tops out at $2,715, while the average work can sell for $2,198.

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