Heinrich Friedrich Steiauf

Heinrich Friedrich Steiauf, a previously little-known master-class student of Max Beckmann, completed an apprenticeship as a decorative and advertising painter from 1922 to 1925. His death certificate describes him not only as a fine artist but also as an interior designer. He also worked on mural designs in all techniques and carried out restorations. Starting in October 1927, Steiauf studied at the Frankfurt Art School (also known as the “Städelschule”), initially under Hugo Bäppler. A year later, he transferred to the Free Painting class led by Johann Vincenz Cissarz. In parallel, beginning in 1928, he undertook part of his training with the Frankfurt Artists’ Society. In 1931, he was finally accepted into Max Beckmann’s master class. However, with the disbandment of Beckmann’s master class by the National Socialists and Steiauf’s expulsion from the Städelschule on March 31, 1933, he was forced to abandon his education. The public defamation cost him his livelihood, plunging him into financial hardship. As a result, Steiauf mostly painted away from the public art scene thereafter.

Only the remaining works of this still largely unknown painter, along with a few archived documents, provide clues about his training and artistic development. After his expulsion from the Städelschule, he primarily produced landscapes and flower paintings, as well as a few private portraits.