Zirkusdarstellerin, Sich Die Schuhe Bindend (Circus Performer Lacing Her Shoes) ( 1933) Art Print | Paul Kleinschmidt

Paul Kleinschmidt was a German painter and graphic artist known for his bold, expressive style that merged German Expressionism with elements of New Objectivity. Born in Bublitz (now Bobolice, Poland), he studied at the Berlin Academy of Fine Arts under notable figures such as Anton von Werner and Lovis Corinth, where he honed his skills in both painting and printmaking.

Kleinschmidt's art is characterized by strong colors, dynamic forms, and dense compositions, often depicting scenes of modern life — cafés, performers, women, and urban interiors. His figures are stylized and voluminous, evoking both the vitality and the alienation of Weimar-era society. There is often a tension in his work between sensuality and distortion, spectacle and critique.

Though he initially gained recognition for his prints and lithographs, his transition to oil painting in the 1920s brought a new richness to his work. However, his career was repeatedly disrupted by political turmoil: he faced censorship under the Nazis, who labeled his work “degenerate,” and later endured hardship during World War II, including imprisonment in a Nazi internment camp.

In 1949, he died in Bensheim, Germany, shortly after the war’s end.

Paul Kleinschmidt’s legacy lies in his unique synthesis of satire, symbolism, and expression, capturing the vibrancy and turbulence of early 20th-century life with unmistakable visual intensity. His works remain a testament to the resilience of personal vision amid historical upheaval.