Georg Tappert (1880-1957)

Georg Tappert (1880-1957) belonged to the first generation of German Expressionist, yet he never belonged to any group or circle and his achievements and influence would have been largely forgotten, were it not for the efforts of Gerhard Wietek, who tirelessly researched, catalogued and exhibited the work of this great experimenter and observer. A native of Berlin, born the same year as Ernst-Ludwig Kirchner, he was one of the driving forces behind the formation of the Neue Sezession and one of the most influential figures of the Berlin avant-garde. His colour monotypes and his etchings, in particular the nudes of his favourite model Betty, who seem to unite the sensuality of early Expressionism with the merciless gaze of Neue Sachlichkeit, count amongst the most original prints of the period.