Erich Heckel was a German painter and printmaker, and a founding member of Die Brücke ("The Bridge"), which existed from 1905 to 1913. His work featured in the art competitions at the 1928 and 1932 Summer Olympics.
Born in Döbeln, Saxony, Heckel was the son of a railway engineer. He attended the Realgymnasium in Chemnitz from 1897 to 1904 and then studied architecture in Dresden. After three terms, he left to become a full-time artist, having co-founded Die Brücke with Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, and Fritz Bleyl.
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Heckel met Kirchner, Schmidt-Rottluff, and Bleyl while studying architecture in Dresden. They saw architecture as a compromise to appease their middle-class parents who disapproved of them studying art. Heckel briefly worked as a draughtsman in Wilhelm Kreis's architectural studio but left in 1907 to focus on art. He used his position to benefit Die Brücke, organizing exhibitions and managing business affairs, which helped the group gain publicity and network with other artists like Franz Marc.
In Die Brücke, Heckel often acted as the business manager, facilitating connections with other artists and increasing the group's exposure. This role helped secure their mention in Franz Marc's Blaue Reiter almanac, boosting their profile.
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