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Gerd Leufert — Gerd Leufert was born in Memel, a Lithuanian town occupied by Germany during WWI. He studied graphic design in Munich and became a member of the renowned and innovative Werkbun, an association of design and craftsmanship that initiated collaborations between artists, architects, craftsmen and manufacturers. After fighting in WWII, Leufert worked for numerous reputable publishing houses in Germany, and in 1951 he immigrated to Venezuela where he not only triumphed as a graphic designer, but also made important contributions in design and museology. In 1952, he began a close relationship with another European émigré, Gertrude Goldschmidt, better known in the art world as Gego. Leufert went on to work at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas for over a decade and during his tenure he rebranded the museum’s visual identity, curating many innovative exhibitions and designing over two hundred award-winning exhibition catalogues.

Gerd Leufert was born in Memel, a Lithuanian town occupied by Germany during WWI. He studied graphic design in Munich and became a member of the renowned and innovative Werkbun, an association of design and craftsmanship that initiated collaborations between artists, architects, craftsmen and manufacturers. After fighting in WWII, Leufert worked for numerous reputable publishing houses in Germany, and in 1951 he immigrated to Venezuela where he not only triumphed as a graphic designer, but also made important contributions in design and museology. In 1952, he began a close relationship with another European émigré, Gertrude Goldschmidt, better known in the art world as Gego. Leufert went on to work at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas for over a decade and during his tenure he rebranded the museum’s visual identity, curating many innovative exhibitions and designing over two hundred award-winning exhibition catalogues.

Created during his time in Venezuela, this oil on canvas reflects Gerd Leufert's masterful ability to merge European modernist training with his adopted Latin American surroundings. His background in graphic design and association with the Werkbund is evident in the work's precise compositional sensibility and refined visual language. The painting stands as a testament to Leufert's multifaceted artistic legacy, bridging his dual identities as both a trained graphic designer and a fine artist working within Venezuela's vibrant mid-twentieth century cultural scene.

Medium: oil on canvas
Spotted At: Auction House · Phillips

🔨 Auction Lot

Latin America

May 23, 2016

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Upata

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Gerd Leufert, Gerd Leufert was born in Memel, a Lithuanian town occupied by Germany during WWI. He studied graphic design in Munich and became a member of the renowned and innovative Werkbun, an association of design and craftsmanship that initiated collaborations between artists, architects, craftsmen and manufacturers. After fighting in WWII, Leufert worked for numerous reputable publishing houses in Germany, and in 1951 he immigrated to Venezuela where he not only triumphed as a graphic designer, but also made important contributions in design and museology. In 1952, he began a close relationship with another European émigré, Gertrude Goldschmidt, better known in the art world as Gego. Leufert went on to work at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas for over a decade and during his tenure he rebranded the museum’s visual identity, curating many innovative exhibitions and designing over two hundred award-winning exhibition catalogues.

Medium

oil on canvas

Seen at

Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

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