Die Erde

Hans Thoma, a distinguished German painter and graphic artist, was born on October 2, 1839, in Oberlehen, Bernau im Schwarzwald, into modest circumstances. His father, Franz Joseph Thoma, worked as a woodworker, while his mother, Rosa Thoma, hailed from a family of artisans. Thoma's early attempts at apprenticeships, including as a lithographer and clock face painter, were short-lived, leading him to pursue self-taught studies in painting and drawing. His dedication earned him a place at the Großherzogliche Kunstschule in Karlsruhe in 1859, where he studied under Johann Wilhelm Schirmer and Ludwig Des Coudres, completing his education in 1866. Thoma's artistic journey took him across Europe, from Basel and Düsseldorf to Paris, where the works of Gustave Courbet and the Barbizon school left a lasting impression. After a stint in Munich, then Germany's art capital, he married Cella Berteneder, a painter of flowers and still lifes, in 1877. Thoma's travels extended to Italy and England, enriching his artistic vision. Settling in Frankfurt's Westend in 1878, he lived alongside fellow painter Wilhelm Steinhausen, fostering a creative community. Thoma's legacy is marked by his deep connection to nature and his contributions to the art movements of his time, passing away in Karlsruhe on November 7, 1924.