GEORG TAPPERT (1880-1957)

Painted in 1917, Café is a fine example of Tappert's fascination with the subject of café society, which he explored throughout his career, and particularly in the years during the First World War. In taking up themes of the cabaret and the world of entertainment, Tappert reflects the influence of works by Pechstein and Van Dongen, who in turn drew their inspiration from French turn-of-the-century artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec.
Even though Georg Tappert served in the army during the war years, from 1915-1918, scenes of war and destruction are conspicuously absent from his œuvre. Instead, during this period Tappert's work is dominated by nudes and scenes of the demi-monde, and bourgeoise social life, such as the present painting. Unlike his contemporaries, who expressed war traumas and battle experiences through their art, Tappert found in painting a way of escaping the grim reality and creating a more pleasant imaginary world.