Fritz von Uhde

Fritz von Uhde (1898)

Fritz von Uhde (22 May 1848 – 25 February 1911) was a German painter of genre and religious subjects. His style lay between Realism and Impressionism. A protestant, he often portrayed Jesus Christ as visiting working-class families in contemporary settings.

Quotes

• In studying the problem of the painting of Christ's figure, I found it to be the painting of the great problem of life. To me He was the bringer of light to the darkness of the world. Many of the French artists wished to find the light in Nature. I wished to find the light within the figure that I was presenting. In Christ I grasped the embodiment of the outward and the inward light. I wished to bring things out of the darkness, as Rembrandt found all things through light.
  • As quoted by Gustav Stickley (1911). The Craftsman, Volume 20. United Crafts, p. 631

To me He was the bringer of light to the darkness of the world... In Christ I grasped the embodiment of the outward and the inward light.

• Before commencing this work I had begun to realize how children follow the Spirit.
  • In reference to his perceptions on the work Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me. As quoted by Gustav Stickley (1911). The Craftsman, Volume 20. United Crafts, p. 631

• The one whom I honor most of all is Rembrandt. Rubens and Velasquez painted better than Rembrandt, but he was the greatest of all painters because he was most powerful humanly. His grasp of all things was from within out. He had something that surpassed all other painters-a great humanity. He is perhaps the only one who could have painted the Christ.
  • As quoted by Gustav Stickley (1911). The Craftsman, Volume 20. United Crafts, p. 631

• Rather than just a depiction of nature, I searched for something like soul. I was occupied with painting children, studying them was more rewarding to me than studying adults at that time. I also wanted to give more to the children.
  • As quoted in Bowron, Aurisch, Supan, Künste (2000). Romantics, realists, revolutionaries: masterpieces of 19th-century German painting from the Museum of Fine Arts, Leipzig. Prestel. p. 158

Quotes about Fritz von Uhde

About Uhde's Suffer Little Children

• Though I have some objections to Uhde, I admit that I certainly admire the main part of this picture, which forms three-quarters of it — the children.
  • Vincent van Gogh, in a letter found in Gogh's Complete letters (1958). New York Graphic Society. p. 395.

• Uhde's tenderest work
  • Robert Haven Schauffler. As found in Schauffler. 1909. Romantic Germany. p. 258.