Robert Michel

The German artist Robert Michel (1897–1983) developed a practice combining collage, typography and graphic arts. He is regarded as a pioneer of collage, drawing on the principles of Dadaism and Constructivism, as well as Futurism and, at times, Surrealism. His compositions often address the relationship between humans and machines: engines, gears and mechanical constructions are recurring motifs.

After studying at the Institut Garnier in Friedrichsdorf from 1908 to 1914, where he considered a career as a mechanical engineer, Michel worked in aviation from 1914, notably for Gothaer Waggonfabrik, and later became a test pilot. After his convalescence, he turned to the visual arts and studied in Walther Klemm’s drawing class in Weimar, where he met Ella Bergmann, who would become his wife. Settling with her and their son in his native village of Vockenhausen, he converted an old colour mill, the “Schmelz”, which he had inherited, into studios. He took part in his first exhibitions in 1920, in Hanover, Leipzig and Cologne. In 1927, together with Ella Bergmann-Michel and several artists, including Kurt Schwitters and Jan Tschichold, he co-founded the “ring neuer werbegestalter”, a group devoted to advertising design.

In 1933, the Reichskulturkammer prohibited him from exhibiting, and he dissolved his artist’s office. In 1937, six of his works held in public collections were seized in the Nazi action known as “Entartete Kunst”. He did not resume his artistic activity in his former collage style until 1954. His work with Ella Bergmann-Michel was presented in the exhibition “Pioniere der Bildcollage” at Schloß Morsbroich in Leverkusen in 1963, and then in a fifty-year retrospective at Gallery Waddell in New York in 1968. The Sprengel Museum in Hanover devoted a retrospective to him in 1988–1989, bringing together collages, paintings, drawings, prints, advertising work and projects, among other things. Works by Michel can be seen at the Städtische Galerie am Abdinghof in Paderborn and in the graphic art collection of Museum Wiesbaden; parts of the couple’s archives are at the Sprengel Museum.

Works recorded at auction

Lempertz · Lot 184

"esprit-huit" stud. 5

Mischtechnik und Collage auf Karton und Dämmplatte

Auction date : 2023-12-02

Published result : 21420 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 12000

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Lempertz · Lot 245

Billets

Gouache

Original catalogue wording

Billets
gouache

Auction date : 2023-06-07

Published result : 16380 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 7000

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Lempertz · Lot 185

Plankton-Express

Tusche auf Karton, collagiert mit Leinenpassepartout und gefirnisst, auf Dämmplatte montiert

Auction date : 2022-12-03

Published result : 18900 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 10000

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Lempertz · Lot 186

Stopp-Position

Tusche und Aquarell auf Karton, auf Dämmplatte montiert

Auction date : 2022-12-03

Published result : 35280 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 6000

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Lempertz · Lot 196

Rendez-Stud

Aquarell, Tusche und Deckweiß auf Karton

Auction date : 2021-06-18

Published result : 12500 EUR

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : 10000

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Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 104

Fogra:E8, 1926

Ink and gouache on baryta paper mounted on paper.

Original catalogue wording

Fogra:E8, 1926
Tusche und Gouache auf Barytpapier auf Papier

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 3646 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 3000–4000

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