The Overbeck Museum in Bremen-Vegesack has inherited more than 200 oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, and etchings created by the renowned Worpswede artist couple Fritz and Hermine Overbeck. The valuable collection comes from the estate of the widow of one of their grandsons, significantly expanding the museum's holdings of works by these influential German artists.
Most of the inherited artworks had already been on permanent loan to the museum for years, but approximately 40 oil paintings are new additions to the collection. Among these newly acquired pieces is a particularly significant work: the only known self-portrait that Fritz Overbeck ever painted during his lifetime. This rare and historically important painting represents a unique glimpse into the artist's self-perception and artistic identity.
The self-portrait will be displayed to the public starting November 23 as part of a comprehensive exhibition focusing on the life and artistic achievements of Hermine Overbeck. Museum director Katja Pourshirazi expressed her enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating that "this painting will certainly become a centerpiece of our collection." She emphasized the museum's gratitude that all the inherited works are now permanently owned by the foundation, ensuring their continued public accessibility for future generations.
The inheritance represents a significant boost to the museum's collection and its mission to preserve and showcase the artistic legacy of the Overbeck couple. Fritz and Hermine Overbeck were prominent figures in the Worpswede artist colony, a influential artistic community that flourished in northern Germany during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their works reflect the distinctive style and philosophical approach that characterized this important movement in German art history.
This major acquisition comes at a time when the museum continues to recover and display previously lost works by the artists. Earlier this year, a long-lost painting by Fritz Overbeck titled "Fields at Gartenberg" was discovered in an attic after being missing for 120 years, highlighting the ongoing efforts to locate and preserve the complete artistic legacy of these important German painters.
