Karl Ernst und Gertrud Osthaus

The Osthauses had a lively exchange with the most important artists, architects, and authors of their time. They were the only German collectors to visit Paul Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence, they were close friends with Ada and Emil Nolde, and they were patrons to artists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Else Lasker-Schüler, and the dancer Alexander Sakharoff. This book takes the latest research findings to present the first comprehensive biography of this busy couple. Their fascinating collection, which was unparalleled in their time, allowed them to make a considerable impact on the German art world, not least with the founding of the Folkwang Museum, the world's first museum of modern art. In addition, the eventful lives of Karl Ernst and Gertrud Osthaus – which unfolded between the imperial period and National Socialism, the upper classes and alternative lifestyles – provide a wealth of material, creating a panorama of their age. It is a story of dreams, success, and disappointments, the search for beauty, and great utopias.