Historic mill commemorates painter Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

From now on, the expressionist and "Brücke" co-founder Karl Schmidt-Rottluff will be remembered at an authentic location in Chemnitz. On Sunday, the 140th birthday of the artist, the historic mill once operated by his father will be reopened. According to the association, it has invested around 700,000 euros in the building with the help of funding and donations.

In the process, not only the building but also the historic mill technology was refurbished. In future, it will serve as a venue for events and meetings, for example for lectures, guided tours, readings and exhibitions. Exhibitions by artists from the region are also planned in a mill gallery.

The aim is to anchor Schmidt-Rottluff (1884-1976) more firmly in Chemnitz again, said association director Brigitte Pfüller. According to her, his original birthplace was destroyed by a fire, so his father had the current residential mill rebuilt in 1892/93. However, he had to sell it in 1913 for health reasons and used the proceeds to build a new house next door.

Today, both buildings form the Karl Schmidt-Rottluff ensemble. The artist himself spent his childhood and youth here before moving to Dresden in 1905. He returned here again and again for family visits, as well as for longer periods after his Berlin studio was destroyed in a bombing raid.

"Festival of Expressionism" in August

In addition to the opening of the Wohnmühle, visitors can also take a look at the neighboring house on Sunday, which is still being converted into a museum. The Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz will be offering short guided tours of the rooms and the future exhibition concept. According to previous information, around 2.2 million euros will be invested. The opening is planned for the beginning of April 2025.

The ensemble is an intervention space for the European Capital of Culture 2025 and is intended to commemorate the city's great artist's son beyond the coming year. Among other things, a "Festival of Expressionism" is planned for August 2025. The association also wants to use lectures and film screenings to build a bridge to Schmidt-Rottluff's fellow artist Max Pechstein, who came from Zwickau. It is also working on a tour through the Rottluff and Rabenstein districts of Chemnitz based on the painter's motifs in the vicinity of the Wohnmühle. The association is hoping to receive funding for this, but according to Pfüller, there has not yet been any commitment.