Artist Monographs

Founded in 1948, Hirmer Publishers soon established a name for art books produced to the highest standards. Over the past decade they have become equally well-known in English-speaking countries, with a reputation as one of the most prestigious publishers in this field. This survey of English titles from 2010 to 2020 encompasses a wealth of subjects across the centuries, from antiquity to the modern age.  

No other artist of Classical Modernism has achieved a similar mythical status to that of Paula Modersohn-Becker. At the same time, the view of her work is often distorted by clichés. This comprehensive publication pays particular attention to the progressive nature of Modersohn’s works, in which this early representative of the avant-garde defied all social and artistic conventions.

Conrad Felixmüller (1897–1977) is regarded as one of the most important representatives of the Second Generation of German Expressionism. He celebrated initial major successes with his art during the Weimar Republic. This volume illustrates the life and work of this unusual artist, whose creative career reflects more than half a century of art and contemporary history.  

Amedeo Modigliani (1884–1920) moved to Paris as a 22-year-old art student and is regarded as probably the last true bohémien in Montmartre. The exhibition catalogue to mark the 100th anniversary of his death shows him for the first time as a leading member of the avant-garde who carried the revolution of Primitivism well into the 20th century.

The painter Hans Purrmann (1880–1966) ranks among the most important painters in the history of twentieth-century art. His vibrant Colourism drew on the works of Henri Matisse and Paul Cézanne, but he achieved independent international acclaim over the course of an eventful life lived between Munich, Paris, Berlin, Florence and Switzerland.  

The painter Hermann Stenner (1891–1914) was one of the outstanding talents of the 20th century. It is impressive to note that he achieved his rapid artistic development and distinct pictorial language during just five years of study and creative work. His remarkably extensive oeuvre is being rediscovered today following his death at an early age during the First World War.  

Peter August Böckstiegel gilt als der bedeutendste westfälische Expressionist und zählt zu den wichtigen Vertretern der Klassischen Moderne. Gemälde voll expressiver Strahlkraft stehen in seinem Werk neben sensiblen Stimmungsbildern und ausdrucksstarken Plastiken – ein Künstler, der mit seinem hochspannenden Œuvre zu Recht seit Jahren immer stärker in den Fokus der Öffentlichkeit rückt.

His pictures look curious, his figures introverted and his street scenes strangely stage-like. Jacobus Vrel records everyday life in Holland during the 17th century, and creates quirky worlds at the same time. This volume presents the fascinating complete œuvre of a painter whose works were thought during the 19th century to have been painted by Vermeer.

His pictures look curious, his figures introverted and his street scenes strangely stage-like. Jacobus Vrel records everyday life in Holland during the 17th century, and creates quirky worlds at the same time. This volume presents the fascinating complete œuvre of a painter whose works were thought during the 19th century to have been painted by Vermeer.

Phyllida Barlow (*1944) tests boundaries with her monumental sculptures in an eccentric yet humorous manner, reflecting on the relationship with our environment through her use of industrial and everyday materials. With impressive installation photos and never-before-seen archival material the publication presents Barlow’s unique oeuvre from her early works until the present day.