Helmut Kolle

Key facts

Lived

1899–1931, German

Movements

• Expressionism
• Modernism

1. 1899Born on 24 February in Berlin-Charlottenburg, the second son of noted bacteriologist Wilhelm Kolle. The family relocated to Bern, Switzerland, in 1906.
2. 1918Met the art collector and dealer Wilhelm Uhde in Frankfurt at age 19, who became his mentor, business partner and companion. Began painting seriously under instruction from Erna Pinner.
3. 1924Moved to Paris with Uhde at age 25, where he was deeply influenced by the works of Picasso and Braque, fusing German modernist expression with French painterly tradition.
4. 1925Held a highly successful exhibition in Paris at age 26, with a catalogue introduction featuring a poem by Jean Cocteau. Began signing works as "Kolle" instead of his earlier pseudonym "Helmut vom Hugel".
5. 1926Exhibited again in Paris at age 27 to widespread acclaim, selling nearly every painting shown. His work was now attracting serious collector interest across France.
6. 1931Died on 17 November in Chantilly, France, at age 32 from endocarditis, a condition he had suffered from since 1922. His brief but prolific career left a significant mark on Franco-German modernism.

• What is Helmut Kolle known for?+

  Helmut Kolle is known for his paintings. He painted portraits, self-portraits, jockeys, soldiers, boxers, and bullfighters.
• Who was Helmut Kolle?+

  Helmut Kolle was a German painter who combined German modernism with French painting. He moved to Paris in 1924 with his partner and mentor, the art collector Wilhelm Uhde. He died of a lung and heart infection in Chantilly, France, in 1931.
• What was Helmut Kolle's art style?+

  Helmut Kolle fused German modernism with French painting, according to his biography.
• When was Helmut Kolle born?+

  Helmut Kolle was born in 1899 in Germany. Helmut Kolle died in 1931, aged 32.
• How did Helmut Kolle die?+

  Helmut Kolle died in 1931 at the age of 32.