Hermann Struck

Hermann Struck (1876-1944) was a German Jewish artist known for his etchings. [ [http://www.lbi.org/exhibitions.html Exhibitions ] ]

Hermann Struck (Chaim Aaron ben David) was born in Berlin. He studied at the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts. In 1904, he joined the modern art movement known as the Berlin Secession. [ [http://www.lbi.org/exhibitions.html Exhibitions ] ] In 1900, Struck met Josef Israels, a Dutch artist, who became his mentor. Both were recognized as leading artists of their time. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel] In 1908, Struck published "Die Kunst des Radierens" ("The Art of Etching"), which became a seminal work on the subject. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel] His students included Marc Chagall, Lovis Corinth, Jacob Steinhardt, Lesser Ury and Max Lieberman. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel]

In 1899, upon completing his studies at the Berlin Academy, he was banned from teaching there because he was Jewish. He signed his work with his Hebrew name, Chaim Aaron ben David, and a Star of David. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel] Struck did commissioned portraits of Ibsen, Nietzsche, Freud, Albert Einstein, Herzl, Oscar Wilde and other leading figures of the time. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel]

Struck was a fervent Zionist and Jewish activist. He visited the Land of Israel in 1903, displayed his art at the Fifth Zionist Congress, and was a founder of the Mizrachi Religious Zionist movement. At the same time, he was a German patriot and volunteered for military service in World War I., [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel] serving as a translator, liaison officer and military artist. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel]

Struck immigrated to Palestine in 1922, taught at Bezalel Academy and helped establish the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel] He visited Berlin every summer until the Nazis rose to power. [ "Here and There" Smadar Sheffi, "Haaretz Guide,", March 7, 2008, review of Herman Struck retrospective: Master Print Maker,Open Museum, Tefen Industrial Park, Israel]

Etchings

* "War Captives"
* "Venice"
* "America"

References

* [http://www.gwu.edu/gelman/spec/kiev/expressions/struck.htm Hermann Struck ] at www.gwu.edu
* [http://www.artatthecenter.com/HTML/Artists.cfm?ID=14 AATC Artists - Hermann Struck ] at www.artatthecenter.com
* [http://www.figureworks.com/20thcentury/struck.html Figureworks.com/20th Century work ] at www.figureworks.com