Richard Simon (painter)
Encyclopedia
Richard Simon was a German expressionist. World-famous faces may be buried in oblivion. This happened to the painter Richard Simon, pseudonym 'Simmerl', who’s portrait on the official poster of 1936 Summer Olympics
in Berlin was distributed all over the world.
, which he acquired from the German actress Adele Sandrock
, close to the famous avenue Kurfürstendamm
. At this location he painted until 1991 at the age of 93 years, almost every day. He completed his last painting in 1991, which then was sold in 1992 The chronological order of Simmerl's paintings clearly shows how his preference for the colors he used were changing with his age: from bright springish and summerly yellow-green impressions into darker blue or even blackish fall and winter sujets.
and a rising sun. The national-socialist leaders, however, insisted that the model’s private zone has to be covered with a sash including a cockade. Furthermore, a silver swastika should adorn the cockade, which Simmerl categorically rejected, using the - socially not acceptable, but historically verified - phrase “there will be no swastika on my balls”. Hence Matjeko was rejected his draft, but he was allowed to keep his 5,000 Mark upfront payment
A graphic artists team, however, integrated the basic idea and a substantial part of this draft in the poster’s final version, which is now officially attributed to the 1936 as well as today widely unknown German graphic designer Franz Würbel; thus “immortalizing” Simmerl’s face and a part of his torso. See official poster Olymic Games 1936
and died in Berlin
. During the "Roaring Twenties
" the German capital was one of the centers of cultural life in Europe. Artists performing in every cultural area imaginable, gathered in Berlin; actors, singers, writers, poets, musicians, sculptors, and, of course, painters. There were theaters with spectacular performances, exiting concerts and first nights, within the upcoming film industry a rapidly increasing number of movies, new and traditional publishing houses with first editions of an entire generation of poets and writers, freedom of arts breeding expressionism
and other new and experimental fine arts. Simmerl was a part of this vibrating, even boiling culture.
Besides Theo Matjeko, he may name as his friends the German poets and writers Joachim Ringelnatz
and Erich Kästner
, the Austrian and German actresses Tilla Durieux
(he portrayed her) and Adele Sandrock
; later, during and after worldwar II operetta singer Käthe Dorsch
as well as the actors Käthe Haak and Hans Söhnker
. The last 15–20 years Simmerl was closest associated with the opera singer (bass-baritone) and college professor Josef Greindl
, who died the same year 1993 as did his friend.
Simmerl’s paintings, which he always used to call his “kids” hung in the homes of Josef Greindl
, Hans Söhnker
and Käthe Haak. As a grumpy maverick, Simmerl only sold as many paintings as he needed to make a basic, humble and by no means luxurious living, which, however, during his long life accumulated to a significant number. But, after all, only his friends could share the privilege of owning his finest paintings.
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
in Berlin was distributed all over the world.
Paintings
Expressionist motifs, images of milky shine due to plenty of chalk mixed into oil paints. Nordic, Mediterranean, Austrian and German landscapes, portraits of his friends; in most cases using oil-based paint on painter cardboard or canvas; some sanguine and chalk drawings. The artist signed all his work as “SIM”. Simmerl lived and worked in a studio in BerlinBerlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, which he acquired from the German actress Adele Sandrock
Adele Sandrock
Adele Sandrock was a German actress. After a successful theatrical career, she became one of the first German film stars....
, close to the famous avenue Kurfürstendamm
Kurfürstendamm
The Kurfürstendamm, known locally as the Ku'damm, is one of the most famous avenues in Berlin. The street takes its name from the former Kurfürsten of Brandenburg. This very broad, long boulevard can be considered the Champs-Élysées of Berlin — full of shops, houses, hotels and restaurants...
. At this location he painted until 1991 at the age of 93 years, almost every day. He completed his last painting in 1991, which then was sold in 1992 The chronological order of Simmerl's paintings clearly shows how his preference for the colors he used were changing with his age: from bright springish and summerly yellow-green impressions into darker blue or even blackish fall and winter sujets.
Simmerl Posing for the Poster of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin
The 'Propaganda Committee for the Olympic Games Berlin 1936' ordered the Hungarian graphic designer Theo Matejko to submit a draft for the official 1936 Olympics poster. This portrayed his then best friend, Simmerl, whole-body nude, holding a laurel wreath, backgrounded by the Brandenburg GateBrandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate is a former city gate and one of the most well-known landmarks of Berlin and Germany. It is located west of the city centre at the junction of Unter den Linden and Ebertstraße, immediately west of the Pariser Platz. It is the only remaining gate of a series through which...
and a rising sun. The national-socialist leaders, however, insisted that the model’s private zone has to be covered with a sash including a cockade. Furthermore, a silver swastika should adorn the cockade, which Simmerl categorically rejected, using the - socially not acceptable, but historically verified - phrase “there will be no swastika on my balls”. Hence Matjeko was rejected his draft, but he was allowed to keep his 5,000 Mark upfront payment
A graphic artists team, however, integrated the basic idea and a substantial part of this draft in the poster’s final version, which is now officially attributed to the 1936 as well as today widely unknown German graphic designer Franz Würbel; thus “immortalizing” Simmerl’s face and a part of his torso. See official poster Olymic Games 1936
Circle of Friends
Simon was born in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
and died in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. During the "Roaring Twenties
Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties is a phrase used to describe the 1920s, principally in North America, but also in London, Berlin and Paris for a period of sustained economic prosperity. The phrase was meant to emphasize the period's social, artistic, and cultural dynamism...
" the German capital was one of the centers of cultural life in Europe. Artists performing in every cultural area imaginable, gathered in Berlin; actors, singers, writers, poets, musicians, sculptors, and, of course, painters. There were theaters with spectacular performances, exiting concerts and first nights, within the upcoming film industry a rapidly increasing number of movies, new and traditional publishing houses with first editions of an entire generation of poets and writers, freedom of arts breeding expressionism
Expressionism
Expressionism was a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas...
and other new and experimental fine arts. Simmerl was a part of this vibrating, even boiling culture.
Besides Theo Matjeko, he may name as his friends the German poets and writers Joachim Ringelnatz
Joachim Ringelnatz
Joachim Ringelnatz is the pen name of the German author and painter Hans Bötticher. His pen name Ringelnatz is usually explained as a dialect expression for an animal, possibly a variant of Ringelnatter, German for Grass Snake...
and Erich Kästner
Erich Kästner
Emil Erich Kästner was a German author, poet, screenwriter and satirist, known for his humorous, socially astute poetry and children's literature.-Dresden 1899–1919:...
, the Austrian and German actresses Tilla Durieux
Tilla Durieux
Tilla Durieux was a renowned Austrian actress of the first decades of the 20th century.Born Ottilie Godefroy, she trained in Vienna, her native town and got her first engagement in Breslau...
(he portrayed her) and Adele Sandrock
Adele Sandrock
Adele Sandrock was a German actress. After a successful theatrical career, she became one of the first German film stars....
; later, during and after worldwar II operetta singer Käthe Dorsch
Käthe Dorsch
Käthe Dorsch was a German actress.-External links:*...
as well as the actors Käthe Haak and Hans Söhnker
Hans Söhnker
Hans Söhnker was a German film actor. He appeared in 105 films between 1933 and 1980.He was born in Kiel, Germany and died in Berlin, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Faithful * Beloved Corinna...
. The last 15–20 years Simmerl was closest associated with the opera singer (bass-baritone) and college professor Josef Greindl
Josef Greindl
Josef Greindl was a German operatic bass.Josef Greindl was born in Munich and studied at the Munich Music Academy with Paul Bender. His opera debut was in 1936, as Hunding in Wagner's Die Walküre in the State Theatre in Krefeld. He is remembered mainly for his performances in Wagner at Bayreuth,...
, who died the same year 1993 as did his friend.
Simmerl’s paintings, which he always used to call his “kids” hung in the homes of Josef Greindl
Josef Greindl
Josef Greindl was a German operatic bass.Josef Greindl was born in Munich and studied at the Munich Music Academy with Paul Bender. His opera debut was in 1936, as Hunding in Wagner's Die Walküre in the State Theatre in Krefeld. He is remembered mainly for his performances in Wagner at Bayreuth,...
, Hans Söhnker
Hans Söhnker
Hans Söhnker was a German film actor. He appeared in 105 films between 1933 and 1980.He was born in Kiel, Germany and died in Berlin, Germany.-Selected filmography:* Faithful * Beloved Corinna...
and Käthe Haak. As a grumpy maverick, Simmerl only sold as many paintings as he needed to make a basic, humble and by no means luxurious living, which, however, during his long life accumulated to a significant number. But, after all, only his friends could share the privilege of owning his finest paintings.