Josef Scharl was a German painter and graphic artist, born on March 19, 1896, in Munich, Germany. His art was greatly influenced by the political and social turmoil of the early 20th century, particularly the two World Wars and the rise of the National Socialist (Nazi) Party in Germany.
Scharl began his artistic education at the School of Arts and Crafts in Munich before serving in World War I. The war experience deeply affected him and would later be reflected in his art. After the war, he returned to Munich to continue his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he was a pupil of Carl Johann Becker-Gundahl and Max Doerner.
In the 1920s, Scharl's style evolved, showing influences from the New Objectivity movement, which sought to depict the reality of the time with a sense of sobriety and often a socio-critical perspective. His works from this period often included stark, haunting figures and landscapes that commented on the human condition and the political climate of post-war Germany.
As the Nazis came to power in the 1930s, Scharl, like many artists, was faced with the regime's oppressive policies towards modern art, which it deemed 'degenerate.' In 1938, he emigrated to the United States to escape the growing hostility towards artists like himself. He settled in New York City, where he continued to produce art that reflected his experiences and the suffering of the human spirit.
In the United States, Scharl was part of the circle of German emigrant artists but struggled to gain the same recognition he had in Europe. Nevertheless, he continued to work, creating paintings, drawings, and illustrations that explored themes of exile, war, and the human condition. His work from this period also shows an interest in abstract forms and an exploration of the material qualities of paint.
Josef Scharl's contribution to art is significant for his portrayal of the early 20th century's existential angst and his resistance to the oppressive ideologies of his time. His work remains a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Sadly, Josef Scharl's life was marked by financial difficulty and health problems, which culminated in his death on November 7, 1954, in New York City. Despite the struggles he faced during his lifetime, his work has been posthumously recognized and preserved in various collections and exhibitions, helping to cement his legacy as an important figure in 20th-century art.
