100 years of Reinhold Petermann: masterpieces of the post-war period celebrate their premiere!

100 years of Reinhold Petermann: masterpieces of the post-war period celebrate their premiere!

Cologne is celebrating the anniversary of the work of the visual artist Reinhold Petermann, one of the outstanding talents of German post-war art, with a retrospective on the occasion of his 100th birthday on October 10, 2025. The exhibition, which is curated by his daughter Barbara Petermann, illuminates his important works and his artistic career, which began over 80 years ago.

Reinhold Petermann was born in Boos an der Nahe and later lived in Mainz. His work is characterized by a unique formal language that is characterized by clear lines and a powerful expression. We are particularly proud of his works that shape the cityscape - such as the iconic bronze horse and man and the Bocksbrunnen in Bad Kreuznach, quoted Bad Kreuznach.

It all started during his stay as a prisoner of war in Scotland, where Petermann developed his first feeling for shapes and figures and dedicated himself to wood carving. After his return, he studied at the Mainz State Art School and became a master student of Emy Roeder. Here he also came into contact with the Brücke artists, whose influence can be felt in his works reinhold-petermann.de.

Artistic creation and inspiration

Petermann is known for his figurative sculptures, which often capture physicality and movement. The female body was a particular source of inspiration for Petermann and runs through many of his works. In addition to his sculptures, he also created numerous watercolors and drawings that round off his artistic oeuvre. This mixture gives his art a special depth and expressiveness that continues to touch many viewers today exhibitions and works.

The upcoming exhibition will feature some of his most famous works, including the Tango Couple and the Reclining Man, but also realistic motifs such as the Ice Cream Seller and the Footballer. These works are complemented by smaller animal sculptures and abstract sculptures that reflect the versatility and broad spectrum of his work.

The influence of the post-war period on art

To fully appreciate the significance of Petermann's work, it is important to consider the period in which he created. After the Second World War, the German art scene experienced a change: many artists came from a strict regime in which art was misused for political purposes. Abstract art was often labeled as “degenerate,” and most artists were forced to adapt to the dictates of the new political system Planet Wissen.

In the Federal Republic, a new, freer art form that reflected the democratic diversity of the West enjoyed great popularity. Artworks from this period were intended to show the openness and tolerance of society and to distance themselves from the dictatorship of the past. Petermann, who is considered one of the important representatives of this movement, brought a breath of fresh air into post-war art with his clear forms and had a significant influence on it.

The retrospective, which is on view from now until his anniversary, opens Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The exhibition will be sporadically inaccessible due to closed events. For more information and to plan a visit, call 0671-8360050.