Fritz Erler (painter)
Encyclopedia
Fritz Erler was a German painter
, graphic design
er and scenic design
er. Although most talented as an interior designer, he is perhaps best remembered for several propaganda posters he produced during World War I
.
in Paris. In 1895 he moved to Munich and lived from 1918 in Holzhausen am Ammersee. His first designs date from 1893- vases, glass windows, book covers, later furniture, theatrical sets, and interior decorations. In 1896 he was a founding member of the magazine Jugend
. He also painted several portraits around the turn of the century, most notably of Richard Strauss
and Gerhart Hauptmann
.
. His paintings were commissioned as war propaganda.
The promotional poster for the sixth war bond
(sechste Kriegsanleihe) was adorned with his painting Helft uns siegen! (1917), perhaps Erler's best-known work. It brought in at least 13.1 million marks more than any other campaign. Its power of moral exhortation has been compared to James Montgomery Flagg
's iconic poster of Uncle Sam, while the idea ultimately derives from the influential Lord Kitchener Wants You
poster of 1914. A soldier, his face darkened from the muck of the trenches, gazes beyond the viewer into No Man's Land
with eyes that shine as if from an inward light. This heroic image depicts the widespread contemporary belief that trench warfare would somehow be a morally cleansing experience.
During the Nazi period Erler's portraits of Adolf Hitler
, Franz von Epp, and Wilhelm Frick
were very remunerative.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
er and scenic design
Scenic design
Scenic design is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. Scenic designers have traditionally come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but nowadays, generally speaking, they are trained professionals, often with M.F.A...
er. Although most talented as an interior designer, he is perhaps best remembered for several propaganda posters he produced during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Education and early career
Beginning in 1886 he studied under Albrecht Bräuer at the school of art in Breslau. He also attended the Académie JulianAcadémie Julian
The Académie Julian was an art school in Paris, France.Rodolphe Julian established the Académie Julian in 1868 at the Passage des Panoramas, as a private studio school for art students. The Académie Julian not only prepared students to the exams at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, but offered...
in Paris. In 1895 he moved to Munich and lived from 1918 in Holzhausen am Ammersee. His first designs date from 1893- vases, glass windows, book covers, later furniture, theatrical sets, and interior decorations. In 1896 he was a founding member of the magazine Jugend
Jugend (magazine)
Jugend was a German art magazine that was created in the late 19th century. It featured many famous Art Nouveau artists and is the source of the term "Jugendstil" , the German version of Art Nouveau. The magazine was founded by writer Georg Hirth. It was published from 1896 to 1940...
. He also painted several portraits around the turn of the century, most notably of Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
and Gerhart Hauptmann
Gerhart Hauptmann
Gerhart Hauptmann was a German dramatist and novelist who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1912.-Life and work:...
.
World War I and afterward
Along with Arthur Kampf Erler was one of the official military painters for the Oberste HeeresleitungOberste Heeresleitung
The Oberste Heeresleitung or OHL was Germany's highest echelon of command of the German Army in World War I, while the Navy was led by the Seekriegsleitung or SKL ....
. His paintings were commissioned as war propaganda.
The promotional poster for the sixth war bond
War bond
War bonds are debt securities issued by a government for the purpose of financing military operations during times of war. War bonds generate capital for the government and make civilians feel involved in their national militaries...
(sechste Kriegsanleihe) was adorned with his painting Helft uns siegen! (1917), perhaps Erler's best-known work. It brought in at least 13.1 million marks more than any other campaign. Its power of moral exhortation has been compared to James Montgomery Flagg
James Montgomery Flagg
James Montgomery Flagg was an American artist and illustrator. He worked in media ranging from fine art painting to cartooning, but is best remembered for his political posters....
's iconic poster of Uncle Sam, while the idea ultimately derives from the influential Lord Kitchener Wants You
Lord Kitchener Wants You
A 1914 recruitment poster depicting Lord Kitchener, the British Secretary of State for War, above the words "WANTS YOU" was the most famous image used in the British Army recruitment campaign of World War I. It has inspired many imitations.-Origins:...
poster of 1914. A soldier, his face darkened from the muck of the trenches, gazes beyond the viewer into No Man's Land
No Man's Land
No man's land is an unoccupied area between two opposing positions.No Man's Land may also refer to:-Places:In the United Kingdom* No Man's Land, Cornwall, England* No Man's Land Fort, off the coast of England* Nomansland, Devon, England...
with eyes that shine as if from an inward light. This heroic image depicts the widespread contemporary belief that trench warfare would somehow be a morally cleansing experience.
During the Nazi period Erler's portraits of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, Franz von Epp, and Wilhelm Frick
Wilhelm Frick
Wilhelm Frick was a prominent German Nazi official serving as Minister of the Interior of the Third Reich. After the end of World War II, he was tried for war crimes at the Nuremberg Trials and executed...
were very remunerative.
External links
- Entry in the Getty List of Artist's Names
- Posters by Erler in the collection of the Imperial War MuseumImperial War MuseumImperial War Museum is a British national museum organisation with branches at five locations in England, three of which are in London. The museum was founded during the First World War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire...