Franz von Stuck ( * 1863 † 1928 )

Self Portrait of Franz von Stuck - (1863 - 1928)

Franz von Stuck: Painter, Professor, and Pioneer of Symbolism

 

Born on February 23, 1863, in Tettenweis, Bavaria, Franz von Stuck was the son of a miller who developed a passion for the arts at an early age. He moved to Munich to study at the Academy of Fine Arts, a decisive step that would lead him to become one of the most influential artists of his time. In 1892, together with Wilhelm Trübner, he founded the Munich Secession, an avant-garde artistic movement that challenged academic conventions.

In 1895, Stuck was appointed professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, where he trained some of the most renowned artists of the 20th century, including Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. His talent and contributions to art were widely recognized: in 1906, he was knighted and awarded the Medal of Merit by the King of Bavaria, adopting the title of “knight” from then on.

Deeply influenced by Arnold Böcklin, Franz von Stuck developed a style rich in symbols, myths, and allegories. His works, often large-scale and imbued with subtle eroticism, reveal his unique sense of visual storytelling. A visionary painter, he remains an iconic figure of European Symbolism, whose legacy continues to inspire the art world.

All images by Franz von Stuck

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