Kunstakademie Düsseldorf facts for kids
The Kunstakademie Düsseldorf is a famous art school in Düsseldorf, Germany. It is known for teaching fine arts. Many well-known artists have studied or taught here. Some famous names include Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Nam June Paik, and Anselm Kiefer. There are also famous photographers like Andreas Gursky and Thomas Struth. At the main entrance, a special message is carved: "For our Students only the Best." This shows how much the school cares about its students.
Contents
History of the Art Academy
How the School Started
The Kunstakademie Düsseldorf began in 1762. It was founded by Lambert Krahe as a drawing school. In 1766, Catharina Treu became the first female professor. This was quite unusual for that time. By 1773, it became a bigger academy. It taught painting, sculpture, and architecture.
Becoming a Royal Academy
During the Napoleonic Wars, the art collection of the local ruler was moved away. After Napoleon's defeat, the Prussian government took over the Düsseldorf area. In 1819, they changed the school. It became the Royal Arts Academy in Düsseldorf.
Gaining International Fame
In the 1850s, the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf became very famous worldwide. Many students came from countries like Scandinavia, Russia, and the United States. They came to learn special painting styles. These included genre painting (scenes from everyday life) and landscape painting. These styles were part of what was called the Düsseldorf school.
The Düsseldorf School of Photography
A New Focus on Photography
From 1976 to 1998, Bernd Becher was a professor at the academy. He started the first class focused only on photography. This was a big step for the school. His students, along with his wife Hilla Becher, became very famous. They created a unique style of photography. This group of artists is known as the Düsseldorf School of Photography.
Famous Photographers from Düsseldorf
Many talented photographers came from this program. Some of them include Andreas Gursky, Candida Höfer, Thomas Ruff, and Thomas Struth. They are known for their large, detailed, and often very clear photographs. Their work has been shown in art galleries all over the world.
Notable Artists and Teachers
The Kunstakademie Düsseldorf has been home to many important artists. They have shaped the art world in many ways. Here are some of the well-known people who studied or taught there:
- Joseph Beuys: A very influential artist known for his unique performances and sculptures. He taught at the academy for many years.
- Gerhard Richter: One of the most famous living artists. He is known for his abstract and photo-realistic paintings.
- Nam June Paik: A pioneer in video art. He used televisions and videos to create new forms of art.
- Anselm Kiefer: An artist known for his large, powerful paintings and sculptures. His work often explores history and mythology.
- Katharina Fritsch: A sculptor famous for her striking, often brightly colored, sculptures of everyday objects and figures.
- Tony Cragg: A British sculptor who also served as a director of the academy. He creates large, dynamic sculptures.
- Rosemarie Trockel: An artist who works with many different materials and ideas, including knitting and video.
- Thomas Schütte: A sculptor known for his figures and architectural models.
- Andreas Gursky: A photographer famous for his large-scale images of landscapes and architecture.
- Candida Höfer: Another photographer known for her precise and detailed pictures of public and semi-public spaces.
- Thomas Ruff: A photographer who explores different types of images, from portraits to abstract works.
- Thomas Struth: Known for his photographs of cityscapes, family portraits, and museum visitors.
These artists, and many others, have made the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf a very important place for art education.
See also
In Spanish: Academia de Bellas Artes de Düsseldorf para niños