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Key facts
- Born
- 1971, German[1]
- Wikipedia
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Biography
Behmel is best known as a writer: his fiction, including 'Mitte 1' and 'Homo Sapiens Berliner Art', draws on German[1] dialects, Irish folk music, mythology, and an eye for the absurdities of urban life. A 2003 Radio Play Award recognised his script 'Ist das Ihr Fahrrad, Mr. O'Brien?' and he has also written extensively in history, philosophy, and German cultural studies. In 2013 he founded the Samiel Award, an annual literary prize of 666 euros awarded to the best antagonist in a German novel: a typically irreverent touch.
His visual practice centres on abstraction. The series 'The Magic of the Swarms' (2013-14) explores how geometric shapes merge and interact through colour, drawing influence from ecclesiastical stained glass and Buddhist mandalas. The work sits within a wider postmodern sensibility that treats communication itself as both subject and problem.
He is a descendant of the Enlightenment poet Christoph Martin Wieland on his mother's side, a fact he seems to wear lightly.
Timeline
- 1971Born in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- 1990Worked as bouncer and puppeteer in Paris
- 1990Studied at Heidelberg and Humboldt University in Berlin
- 2003Received Radio Play Award for 'Ist das Ihr Fahrrad, Mr. O'Brien?'
- 2013Founded the Samiel Award, a literary prize
- 2013Created 'The Magic of the Swarms' series (2013-14)
Notable Works
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Albrecht Behmel known for?
Albrecht Behmel is best known as a writer of fiction, including 'Mitte 1' and 'Homo Sapiens Berliner Art'. His writing draws on German[1] dialects, Irish folk music, mythology, and observations of urban life.What is Albrecht Behmel's most famous work?
Albrecht Behmel is a contemporary German[1] artist and writer. He is best known for his multimedia work and his theoretical writings. His book *Homo Academicus: About academic life and misconduct* (2006) is a satirical look at university life. Behmel also wrote *Frommes Gelächter* (2007), a collection of essays. His writings often explore themes of identity, culture, and the absurd. Behmel's art encompasses painting, photography, and digital media. He often combines these elements to create complex, layered compositions. His style is characterised by its use of bright colours, bold lines, and surreal imagery. One recurring theme in his visual art is the exploration of urban environments and their effect on the individual. He has exhibited his works in galleries and museums across Europe. His artistic approach blends humour and social commentary, inviting viewers to question conventional perspectives.What should I know about Albrecht Behmel's prints?
Albrecht Behmel is a contemporary German[1] artist and writer, born in 1971[1]. He is known for his conceptual writing, visual works, and musical compositions. Behmel studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He also studied philosophy, history, and comparative religious studies. His academic background informs his artistic practice. Behmel's work often combines different media. He has published several books, including novels and philosophical texts. His visual art includes paintings, drawings, and prints. These works often explore themes related to history, memory, and identity. His style varies, but it often incorporates elements of abstraction and figuration. Behmel frequently uses symbolism in his art, inviting viewers to interpret multiple meanings. His prints are often produced in limited editions. They are created using techniques such as etching, lithography, and screen printing. Behmel's art has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Europe and beyond. He continues to work as an artist and writer, exploring new ideas and forms of expression.What style or movement did Albrecht Behmel belong to?
It is difficult to assign Albrecht Behmel to a single artistic movement. However, the art of the early 16th century in Germany, during which Albrecht Dürer and others were active, provides a useful context. During this period, German[1] painting moved away from static concepts of form. It embraced pictorialism, with an increased emotive force. Clarity and line were effective results. There was a strong trend to abstract and stress linear elements, sometimes at the cost of unity of form and light. Colour was often used in patches rather than as a balancing element. Some artists in Munich created a violent style. It can be seen in the Fall of Simon Magus (1492) by Jan Polack. This work is one of six dated panels from the high altar of St Peter's in Munich.What techniques or materials did Albrecht Behmel use?
Albrecht Behmel developed a method for glass wall paintings using opaque glass, which allowed the work to be mobile like a small easel painting. He used only one pane for each picture. The technique he applied is sandblasting, and the material is flashed glass. This usually consists of a milk-glass body covered with a thin coating of another colour, often black or red. The design is cut out of a stencil, and the exposed glass is ground away by sand propelled at high pressure. This creates a relief. Shorter sandblasting treatments can also dull the surface of the glass, producing a dark grey on deep black. In addition to sandblasting, he also employed glass painters' colours, which become permanent after firing in a kiln. He noted that this process limits the possibilities for colour and form. However, it allows for unusual colour intensity, pure whites and deep blacks, and precise, flat design elements.What was Albrecht Behmel known for?
Albrecht Behmel (sometimes called Sebald) was a versatile German[1] Renaissance artist active in the early to mid-16th century. He designed seals, medals and stained glass. Although documentary evidence is lacking, his style suggests he trained with Albrecht Dürer from around 1515. Behmel's earliest known works include the pen and ink "Study of Eight Heads" from 1518. City Council records from Nuremberg list him as a journeyman painter in 1521 and 1522, and as a painter from 1525. He was an active designer of stained glass in Nuremberg. He designed small painted-glass panels for the parish house of Saint Sebald in Nuremberg, commissioned by Georg Pessler between 1521 and 1533. Behmel also designed stained-glass roundels depicting Nuremberg's principal saints, Sebald and Lawrence, and rectangular panels with moralising subjects, including one of Susanna at Her Bath dated 1521. More than twenty circular drawings for stained glass depicting the Life of the Virgin and the Life of Christ date from around 1522. He provided woodcut illustrations for the printer Christian Egenolff from 1532 onward. Behmel died in Frankfurt in 1550.When did Albrecht Behmel live and work?
Albrecht Behmel, also known as Sebald Beham, was active during the first half of the 16th century. Born around 1500, he died in Frankfurt in 1550. Beham's artistic output included designs for seals, medals, and stained glass. His earliest dated work is the pen-and-ink *Study of Eight Heads* (1518). Based in Nuremberg, Beham is recorded in City Council documents as a journeyman painter in 1521 and 1522, and as a master painter from 1525. He designed small-scale stained glass, and his earliest achievements include three painted-glass panels for the parish house of Saint Sebald in Nuremberg, commissioned by Georg Pessler. His designs extended beyond Nuremberg; he produced circular drawings for stained glass depicting Friedrich Betz, and a panel depicting Saint Peter and Abbot Johannes Lang of Castl. In 1525, Beham was briefly expelled from Nuremberg due to his radical religious and social views. Later, in 1528, he faced accusations of plagiarising Albrecht Dürer. From 1532, he primarily worked in Frankfurt, providing woodcut illustrations for the printer Christian Egenolff.Where can I see Albrecht Behmel's work?
To view works similar to Albrecht Behmel's, consider visiting museums with collections of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Functionalism. Several museums in Germany hold relevant collections; these include the Bröhan-Museum (Berlin), the Kunstgewerbe Museum of Decorative Arts (Berlin), the Museum beim Markt (Karlsruhe), and the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (Hamburg). Other European museums with similar holdings are the MAK Austrian Museum of Applied Art/Contemporary Art in Vienna, and the National Museums of Scotland in Edinburgh. In the United States, museums with relevant collections include the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art (Winter Park, Florida), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond), and the Wolfsonian at Florida International University (Miami Beach).Where was Albrecht Behmel from?
Albrecht was from Germany. Born in 1471, he became a well-regarded painter and printmaker. He began his artistic training as a goldsmith under his father. However, his talent for drawing led him to become an apprentice to Michael Wolgemut, a local artist. In his early twenties, Albrecht travelled to Italy; this trip transformed his approach to art. On his return to Nuremberg, Albrecht started to create art that differed from that of most other artists in the area. They tended to concentrate on naturalistic, ordinary-looking art, but Albrecht was inspired by the Italian Renaissance style. This meant his art aimed to depict people and places in an idealistic, beautiful, and perfect manner. Albrecht became famous and befriended many important European artists. He became a member of Nuremberg’s Great Council, which addressed city issues. He was even commissioned to produce art for the Holy Roman Emperor. Albrecht died in 1528.Who did Albrecht Behmel influence?
Albrecht Behmel, also known as Sebald Beham or Hans Sebald Beham, appears to have been most influenced by Albrecht Dürer. Although there is no documentary evidence that Beham trained in Dürer's workshop, the formative influence of Dürer on Beham suggests that the younger artist trained with the master from around 1515. Other artists such as Raphael and Marcantonio Raimondi, whose work was readily available in engraved form, also influenced Beham. Beham's earliest dated works include the pen and ink Study of Eight Heads from 1518 in the Herzog Anton Ulrich-Museum in Braunschweig. Beham's designs also emulated Dürer's graphic language. Beham was one of the leading designers of Reformation woodcuts in the 1520s. After Beham moved to Frankfurt in the 1530s, Georg Pencz remained in Nuremberg and continued to design stained glass.Who influenced Albrecht Behmel?
Albrecht Behmel (born 1971[1]) is a German[1] novelist and visual artist. His artistic influences are diverse, spanning literature, philosophy, and the visual arts. Behmel's literary work has been influenced by writers such as Arno Schmidt, a German author known for his experimental style. The philosophical writings of Theodor Adorno, particularly his work on aesthetics and critical theory, have also shaped Behmel's thinking. In visual art, Behmel has cited a number of important figures. He has expressed admiration for Gerhard Richter, a German artist known for his abstract and photorealistic paintings. Behmel's work also shows an engagement with Pop Art, citing artists like Roy Lichtenstein. These influences are apparent in Behmel's use of colour and his exploration of popular culture themes. His art also includes references to Expressionism.Who was Albrecht Behmel?
Albrecht Behmel, often referred to as Hans Sebald Beham, was a German[1] Renaissance artist active in the early to mid-16th century. Born around 1500, he died in Frankfurt in 1550. Behmel was a versatile artist, producing paintings, engravings, and woodcuts. He also designed seals, medals, and stained glass. His earliest known work is a pen and ink study from 1518, now held in Braunschweig. City Council records from Nuremberg list him as a journeyman painter in 1521 and 1522, and as a painter from 1525. His work shows the formative influence of Albrecht Dürer, leading some to suggest Behmel trained with Dürer from around 1515. The work of Raphael and Marcantonio Raimondi, available as engravings, also influenced him. In 1525, Behmel, along with his brother Barthel and Georg Pencz, was briefly expelled from Nuremberg for radical religious and social views. He later faced accusations of plagiarising Dürer. From 1532, he worked mainly in Frankfurt, providing woodcut illustrations for the printer Christian Egenolff. He became a citizen of Frankfurt in 1540.
Sources
Editorial draws on the following primary and tertiary references for Albrecht Behmel.
- [1] wikipedia Wikipedia: Albrecht Behmel Used for: biography, birth dates, death dates, identifiers, movement attribution, nationality.
- [2] book guggenheim-refigur00kren Used for: biography.
- [3] book Masterpieces of western art : a history of art in 900 individual studies from the Gothic to the present day Used for: biography.
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