Eugen Batz

(Velbert 1905 - 1986 Wuppertal)

After an apprenticeship in his father's Fasson business, Eugen Batz learned free drawing at the advanced vocational school. He traveled to places rich in art, attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Elberfeld and consolidated his artistic career. In 1929 he joined the Bauhaus in Dessau and in 1931 followed Paul Klee to the Düsseldorf Art Academy. From 1933 he worked mainly in his father's company, leaving little time for his art until the end of the war. In 1946 Batz returned to the art world with exhibitions and the publication of a portfolio of graphic works. In 1949 he was a co-founder of the "New Rhenish Secession" and continued his travel cycle through Italy, Spain, later to Turkey and in the 70s through Tunisia. Due to a heart disease in 1959 he withdrew from the family business and thus had more time for painting. (E.W., J.D.)

Publications

Eugen Batz (1905-1986). Zum 100. Geburtstag. Gemälde und Aquarelle

Katalog zur Ausstellung des Von der Heydt-Museum Wuppertal in der Kunsthalle Barmen, 17.04. - 29.05. 2005; Hrsg. Sabine Fehlemann; 23x20 cm

Authors: Antje Birthälmer; Beate Eickhoff; Dieter Hoffmann

ISBN: 3892020604

Publisher: Von der Heydt-Museum Wupppertal

Medium: Hardcover

Dimensions: 23 x 20 cm

Language: Deutsch

pages: 159

Price: 25,00 €

Vita

1905

born in Velbert

1918

Apprenticeship in the barrel turning shop, his father becomes co-owner, 1927 re-establishment of the company under Eugen Batz' name

1919

Attendance at the Gewerbliche Fortbildungsschule, Velbert, drawing course

1923

Member of the so called Wandervogel group "Sonnenwinkel"

1924

Trips to Bremen, Hamburg, Lübeck, Travemünde and Worpswede

1925 - 1927

Studies at the School of Arts and Crafts, Elberfeld

1929

Studies at the Bauhaus, Dessau, financed by selling pictures. Preliminary course with Josef Albers, photographic training with Walter Peterhans, free painting class with Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee.

1930

first abstract works are created

1931

Moves to the Düsseldorf Art Academy with Paul Klee, becomes his master student

1933

Travels to France, works for half a year at the foot of the Pyrenees, after returning he works again in his father's business, paints and draws only in his spare time

1934

Visits Paul Klee in exile in Bern, one year later he stays there for three months

1935

Marriage to Hildegard Frenking, four children

1939

No military service, as his father's company manufactures products needed for the war, hardly any time for artistic activities.

1946

finishes paintings that he had started in 1936

1947

Visitor at the "Donnerstagsgesellschaft" in Alfter

1949

Publication of the portfolio of 9 etchings with the support of Werner Haftmann

Co-founder of the "Neue Rheinische Sezession", regular participation in its exhibitions until 1955

1953

first big trip after the end of the war through France, further trips to Italy, Spain, Turkey, from the mid-1970s annually to Tunisia

1954

Image structure is solved in favor of free color development

1959

Retires from business due to heart disease, has more time for his art

represented at documenta II in Kassel with three works

1962

first figurative works with mythical themes

1978

Retrospective in the Modern Gallery in Hardenberg Castle, Velbert-Neviges

1986

dies in Wuppertal