Bruno Goller

1901 - 1998

Quick Facts

  • Works on APS: 3
  • Museums on APS:
    • Städel Museum
    • Bavarian State Painting Collections
  • Art period: Modern
  • Nationality: Germany
  • Lifespan: 97 years
  • Died: 1998

The Life and Artistic Journey of Bruno Goller

Born in Gummersbach, Germany, Bruno Goller began his journey into painting as a youth. He received instruction from the landscape painter Julius Jungheim between 1919 and 1921 in Düsseldorf. Following a journey to Italy in 1924, he settled in Düsseldorf in 1927, a city he rarely left. During his career, he was a member of several artistic groups, including Das Junge Rheinland, the Rheinische Sezession, and the Rheingruppe. He also belonged to the Neue Rheinische Sezession.

Goller's life was marked by significant historical shifts. During the period of National Socialism, he lived largely in "inner emigration," and he was drafted into service during the Second World War from 1940 to 1945. In 1943, a significant portion of his early work was destroyed when incendiary bombs struck his studio. Later, he held a professorship for painting at the Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 1953 to 1964, teaching students such as Blinky Palermo and Konrad Fischer.

Style and Subject Matter

The thematic essence of Goller's work was deeply influenced by his mother's hat shop. This connection led him to favor subjects such as shop windows, decorations, and similar interior arrangements. His artistic style is often described as a form of "magical realism" that remained steadfast even as abstraction became a dominant trend in the post-war era. While his work is frequently situated between Jugendstil, Expressionism, and Surrealism, some art historians suggest his style is unique and defies easy classification.

Throughout his life, Goller received numerous honors, including:

Questions & Answers

In which historical period did Bruno Goller work?

Bruno Goller worked in the Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.

Where are Bruno Goller's artworks organized by color?

The Spectral Index of Bruno Goller is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.

In which movements did Bruno Goller work?

The movements Bruno Goller worked in can be seen on the artist's All Movements page, which groups the artworks by movement.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Bruno Goller born?
Question 2:
Between which years did Bruno Goller hold a professorship at the State Art Academy Düsseldorf?
Question 3:
What subject matter was a lifelong influence on Goller's choice of motifs?
Question 4:
Which art movement is often associated with Goller's style, despite his unique approach?
Question 5:
In which year was Goller awarded the Grand Art Prize of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia?