Fritz Klimsch German sculptor. Date of Birth: 10.02.1870 Country: Germany

1. Early Life and Training
2. Berlin Secession and Prussian Academy
3. Professorship and Recognition
4. Nazi Patronage and Artistic Fame
5. Classical Influences and Female Nudes
6. Post-War Recognition and Legacy

Early Life and Training

Fritz Klimsch was a renowned German sculptor who received his education at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin under the tutelage of Fritz Schaper.

Berlin Secession and Prussian Academy

In 1898, Klimsch co-founded the Berlin Secession alongside Walter Leistikow and Max Liebermann. From 1912, he became a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts, and in 1916, he was appointed its senator.

Professorship and Recognition

Klimsch held the position of professor at the United State Schools of Berlin from 1921 until his retirement in 1935.

Nazi Patronage and Artistic Fame

During the Nazi era, Klimsch gained considerable recognition. His work was showcased at the Munich House of Art, and he became known for his sculptures of Erich Ludendorff, Wilhelm Frick, Adolf Hitler, and Marianne Hoppe. Joseph Goebbels, in his diary, hailed Klimsch as "the most mature of sculptors, a genius when it comes to handling marble." Hitler included Klimsch in his special list of zwölf Meister (12 masters) in 1944.

Classical Influences and Female Nudes

Klimsch's early works were influenced by Art Nouveau, but he later gravitated towards classical forms. He achieved fame for his sculptures of female nudes, an aesthetic that appealed to the National Socialists and contributed to his artistic ascendancy in the late 1930s.

Post-War Recognition and Legacy

Shortly before his death in 1960, Klimsch was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. His work continues to be admired for its technical prowess and classical elegance, cementing his status as a significant figure in 20th-century German sculpture.