Franz Reinhardt

Franz Reinhardt the Elder (born on September 26, 1881 in Helmstedt, died on June 6, 1946 in Lenzfried) was a versatile artist who worked as a painter, draughtsman, muralist and church painter. The son of a dyer, he moved to Munich as a young man, where he studied at the Munich Art Academy from 1900. His teachers there were renowned artists such as Gabriel von Hackl, Wilhelm von Diez and Franz von Stuck. In Munich, he also made the acquaintance of other important artists such as Franz Marc and Albert Weisgerber.
A remarkable work by Reinhardt is the portfolio “Simson” from 1913, which comprises 43 pen and ink drawings and was published by R. Piper in Munich.
Reinhardt was known for his expressively realistic compositions with mythological or religious content, which impressed with their vivid colors. In addition to his paintings, he also created murals for churches and altarpieces, including in Landsberg am Lech, as well as portraits.
He was a member of the Munich Secession and took part in various exhibitions, including the “Munich 1908 Exhibition” and the “Munich Art Exhibitions” in the Glaspalast.
Works by Franz Reinhardt the Elder are represented in renowned collections such as the Bavarian State Painting Collections (six paintings), the City of Munich, the Lenbachhaus in Munich and the collection of Professor Dr. Heinz Böhme in Salzburg.