Erich Wolfsfeld c.1885 -1956

Erich Wolfsfeld was born in Krojanke, Germany. Brought up in Berlin, where he attended the Academy in 1902-13, learned etching in the studio of Hans Meyer, Studied at Academie Julian in Paris in 1905-1906. From 1907 worked in Rome, where he learnt from Otto Greiner, and painted Italian street beggars. In 1905 was commissioned by the Prussian government to make etched copies of byzantine frescoes in the classical ruins of Priene. These were intended for publication in a report on the excavations, though unfortunately no record of theses etchings survived. The visit to Turkey gave the artist a taste for travel, which he indulged throughout his life. In 1911 won the Kaiser Wilhelm Gold Medal for his picture The Archers. By 1914 Wolfsfeld was exhibiting in Berlin, Leipsig and Vienna and his success was reflected in illustrated articles on his work in Die Kunst and Kust fur Alle. The outbreak of the First World War put an end to Wolfsfeld's studies, and the artist spent two years in the army as an officer, during which time he made studies of wounded soldiers. In 1916 appointed a teacher at the Berlin Academy and in 1920 made Professor of Painting and Etching there. This post allowed to travel widely during summer holidays and he visited Morocco, Egypt and Palestine. A number of paintings and etchings, especially Arab, were produced on these trips. Nazi pressure forced Wolsfeld out of Germany and he settled in England in 1939. Exhibition of his work at Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield. In 1943 showed at RA. His exhibit of a portrait etching from the Roman period so impressed the sculptor Goscomb John that he commissioned a portrait from Wolfsfeld. The result was an oil painting later acquired by the National Portrait Gallery. Wolfsfeld continued to exhibit at RA until 1953. In 1953 Derby Museum and Art Gallery gave him a solo show. In 1977 Belgrave Gallery had an extensive show. His work is represented in the British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Imperial War Museum, Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, Germanisches National Museum in Nuremburg, Albertina in Vienna, Gambinetto Nazionale della Stampe in Rome, Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York, Israel Museum in Jerusalem and others. (see Art UK)