Painter Harald Metzkes has died
Artist Harald Metzkes died at the age of 97 in Brandenburg. He was a prominent representative of the "Berlin School" and his works are held in museums.
Artist Harald Metzkes has died at the age of 97 in Wegendorf, Brandenburg. His family announced his passing last Thursday.
Metzkes was born in 1929 in Bautzen, where he completed an apprenticeship as a stone mason. He later studied painting at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Dresden from 1949 to 1953 before moving to Berlin. He became one of the leading representatives of the so-called "Berlin School".
This group of artists created their works independently of the official cultural policy in the GDR. Metzkes' son described that his father "did not aim to fulfill cultural policy demands." He drew inspiration from masters such as Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Cézanne, and rejected socialist realism.
Metzkes became known for his depictions of harlequins, circus, and theatre scenes, among other subjects. One of his most famous works is "Der Abtransport der sechsarmigen Göttin." His works are now found in collections and museums across Germany.