Hans Purrmann

In the same year, the “Académie Matisse” was opened at the instigation of Purrmann, Marg Moll and Sarah Stein. In the years that followed, Purrmann travelled with Matisse through the South of France and through Germany, where he arranged the sale of Matisse works to Karl Ernst Osthaus at the Folkwang-Museum. From 1916 onwards, Purrmann lived in Berlin, and he received his first major solo exhibition from Paul Cassirer. The years that followed were defined by travel – to southern Italy, among other places. In 1935, on the basis of a recommendation, the artist received the position of director at the German artists’ foundation in the Villa Romana in Florence, and he was thus able to largely avoid the repressive measures of the Nazis. Near the end of the war, Purrmann was able to move to Switzerland, where he settled in Montagnola and became friends with Hermann Hesse, among others. His oeuvre is defined by luminous, sun-filled and clear colours which record southern landscapes, still lifes and portraits.