RODEL, KARL (1907-1982)

"Untitled" (c.1970)
oil on board
61 x 61cm
signed lower right
*private collection, Sydney
 
Rödel was a respected German Expressionist. He followed in the footsteps of his father, a carpenter & artisan, & began an apprenticeship in Halle in 1922. This was also his first contact with the Arts & Crafts School at Burg Giebichenstein. In 1929 he studied at this school & under artists such as Charles Crodel, Gerhard Marcks & Herbert Post. From 1933-34 he then attended the Academy in Leipzig & worked under conservator Prof. H. Giesau as a freelance employee in his workshop, receiving training as a restorer. From 1939 he worked as a restorer in the Schloss Museum in Berlin.
In 1942, Rödel moved to Berlin-Steglitz & set up a studio. He served in WWII until 1945 & was taken prisoner of war. During his absence, his Berlin studio was destroyed in 1944, along with all of his works & a small art collection. Returning home in 1945, Rödel initially worked in the state conservator's workshop. From 1947, he headed the lithography class at the Burg Giebichenstein art school for five years.The artist experienced carefree years at Burg Giebichenstein, restrictions on art by the National Socialists, captivity, the start of the GDR & later a divided Germany from the West German perspective. In 1952, 3 years after the founding of the GDR, he moved to Mannheim, where he spent the last part of his life. In 1953, he founded the Mannheim Art School, & was a prolific exhibitor at the Frankfurt Secession between 1953-66. Trips followed, including to Paris (1956) & Holland (1957), & in 1960 to Italy, Spain, Portugal & Africa. After his return, he accepted a teaching position at the Institute for Art Education in Saarbrücken in 1961. Rödel was curious about expanding his art & inspired by the artistic trends of the time. He began his career in the tradition of the German Expressionists, but in later life adopted the Abstract Expressionist style. He befriended & presented his work for discussion to greats, Picasso & Chagall. He is represented in several important collections worldwide!!