Fritz and Barbara Klemm

Fritz Klemm, who only became intensely artistically active in his mid-forties, created a distinctive œuvre, which in its increasing reduction, especially with the theme ‘wall’ (the representation of his studio wall), led him to almost abstract ‘painting’. He was already 68 years old when he found his way to those works which made him known to the public. He used paper and paint as a subtle and almost poetic source material for collaged, graphic works.

From the very beginning, drawing was his most important means of artistic expression, with which he portrayed the objects of his immediate surroundings: tables, chairs, bowls, brushes or easels. Barbara Klemm has worked as a photo reporter for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung all her professional life. She has accompanied historical political events in Germany and around the world, taking numerous iconic pictures thanks to her fantastic sense of the right moment and interpersonal encounters. A special focus of her photographic art is her preoccupation with art and artists. With her camera she has created haunting portraits of world-famous artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Gerhard Richter and Joseph Beuys. A selection will be shown in the exhibition.

In 2007, the Kupferstich-Kabinett (Copper Engraving Cabinet) of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden (Dresden State Art Collections) last showed a joint exhibition of works by father and daughter.