vintage (art)

Ludwig von Hofmann (1861–1945) was a major German painter, blind in one eye. He first studied law in Bonn, then studied art at the Dresden Academy (1883-1886) and at the Academie Julien in Paris in 1889. Strongly impressed by contemporary French painters such as Puvis de Chavannes and Albert Besnard, Ludwig von Hofman returned to Germany in 1890, settled in Berlin for thirteen years and painted many paintings in impressionist style. He contributed to the foundation of the Berlin Secession, an open revolt against academic traditions. In 1903 von Hofman became Professor at the Archducal School of Art in Weimar. Collectors of his art included the Empress of Austria and the novelist, Thomas Mann. Many of his works were destroyed by National Socialists at the purge of "Degenerate Art" in 1937.