The art collection of Helmut and Loki Schmidt
The Ernst Barlach Haus in Hamburg is the first museum to present the art that former chancellor Helmut Schmidt and his wife collected.
Emil Nolde: 'Dahlias'
Like so many other expressionist artists, Emil Nolde (1867-1956) aspired to unite life and art in one concept. Was this what made Loki and Helmut Schmidt feel so passionate about his art? Their private art collection includes various works by the artist.
Paula Modersohn-Becker: 'Sitting Boy in Dune Landscape'
Paula Modersohn-Becker (1876 – 1907) was a German painter who belonged to the famous Worpswede artists' movement. She is considered a pioneer of expressionism and modernism. Using vivid color schemes, she developed a pictorial language based on the simplicity of form in her works. This seems to have fascinated the Schmidts: The "Sitting Boy in Dune Landscape" was part of their collection.
Otto Dix: 'Mädchenhändler'
Otto Dix (1891-1969) was known for his social and political comments in his art, which is why the Nazi regime defamed his work as "degenerate art." The collection of Loki and Helmut Schmidt contains many such works from that period, like Otto Dix's "Mädchenhändler" — or "pimp."
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff: 'Baltic Sea by Sierksdorf'
Expressionist painter Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976) spent most summers with his friend Günter Machemehl in the Baltic Sea resort of Sierksdorf. Many of his works were created there, including the painting above, from 1956. Schmidt-Rottluff was also one of the artists ostracized by the Nazis. Former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and his wife Loki were fans his saturated hues and simple style.
Otto Illies: 'Falkenstein sunset'
The Falkenstein forest in the Hamburg borough of Blankenese is a frequent motif in the works of landscape painter Otto Illies (1881-1959). Some of the most exclusive villas of the city can still be found there. One of them served as Schmidt's political headquarters from which the then-Senator of the Interior of Hamburg coordinated the deployment of rescuers during the 1962 flooding of the city.
Ernst Barlach: 'Singing Man'
There's no doubt that the Schmidts appreciated Ernst Barlach more than many other artists. Several sculptures by the esteemed sculptor (1870-1938) found their way into their private collection and were featured prominently at their home in Hamburg-Langenhorn. The former chancellor was known for his analytical and reserved mind; clearly, art acted as the antidote to this aspect of his character.