Fritz Winter

* 1905, Altenbögge 1976, Herrsching

Biography

* 1905, Altenbögge, 1976, Herrsching

Following an apprenticeship as an electrician, Fritz Winter became increasingly artistically active from 1924. In 1927, on the recommendation of his drawing teacher, he applied to the Staatlichen Bauhaus in Dessau. His teachers there included Josef Albers (1888–1976), Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) and Paul Klee (1879–1940). He financed himself by working at the same time for Oskar Schlemmer’s (1888–1943) stage department. Later, his achievements led to the receipt of a bursary from the town of Dessau and he finished his studies, receiving a commendation. From 1929 he exhibited regularly and his work was acquired by Museums throughout Germany. Having taken up a teaching position at the Pedagogical Academy in Halle an der Saale in 1931, he saw the position withdrawn in 1933 following the seizure of power by the National Socialists. In 1937 his works were labelled as “degenerate” and removed from Museums. After the war, Winter belonged to the founding members of the artist group ZEN 49 in Munich. In 1955 he was awarded a professorship from the Academy for Fine Arts in Kassel. From 1950 Fritz Winter was awarded various national and international prizes. He is considered to be one of the most important modern abstract painters.

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