About the artwork

A lovely large Matisse-like pastel on paper with strong lines and colours.

This stunning pastel drawing by German artist Johann Winter, created around the 1930s, is a vibrant example of modernist portraiture. The piece features a stylized female figure holding a vase, rendered with bold, fluid lines and expressive colors. Winter's use of pastel creates a rich texture, emphasizing the contrast between the figure’s soft yellow drapery and the strong geometric shapes of the vase. The dynamic green background enhances the composition.

From our Johann Winter collection:

Year: c.1930s

Framed size: H. 86cm W. 72cm D. 4,3cm

Provenance: Artist’s Estate

Delivery: Collect from the shop or contact Cal to arrange specialist art handlers

About the artist

Johann Winter (1898–1964) was a German sculptor, graphic artist and painter. Between 1914 and 1916, he studied at the Cologne Art and Craft School (Kunstgewerbe-und Handwerkerschule Köln) under renowned ceramicist Wolfgang Wallner.

In 1914, the School hosted the Deutscher Werkbund’s first major exhibition in Cologne. The event is considered a significant moment in the history of modern art and design, influencing later movements like the Bauhaus. One can but imagine the spirit of the time when Winter began his education in the midst of such artistic excitement.

Little is known about Winter beyond this point. It is likely that he was conscripted in 1916, and thus had to halt his artistic education. Yet his talent in harnessing the Modernist spirit of the time is apparent in both his sculpture and works on paper, with their fresh and playful Cubist and Art Deco influences.