Art scene mourns: Silesian museum loses important collector

Art scene mourns: Silesian museum loses important collector

A serious loss for the art scene: The art historian Hans Peter Reisse died on July 14, 2025 in Kassel. Reisse, who was considered an important collector of almost forgotten modern artists from Wroclaw, left behind a glowing legacy that is primarily associated with the Silesian Museum in Görlitz. This was founded 30 years ago, but in its early years struggled with a lack of its own collections.

Reisse made a significant contribution to the founding of the museum. With the support of art connoisseurs such as Peter Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck, Harriet Hauptmann and Rainer Lemor, the museum was finally able to open in 2006. Building the museum was no small feat; A lack of inventory meant that the development staff had to rely primarily on loans and donations. Reisse helped build a bridge to the surviving painters of the once respected Breslau Academy.

The Wroclaw Academy – A center of modern art

The State Academy of Arts and Applied Arts in Breslau was an important center for modern art from 1911 until its closure by the National Socialists in 1932. It emerged from the Royal Art and Trade School founded in 1791 and, under the direction of Hans Poelzig, was a place of innovative strength comparable to the Bauhaus. Many talented artists, such as Oskar Moll and Otto Mueller, whose works are highly valued today, received their training here. However, these artists were rejected by the Nazi regime and their work was destroyed or distributed en masse.

Reisse was convinced of the relevance of these artists and worked intensively to rediscover and preserve their works. With the exhibition “Modern Workshops. Teachers and Students of the Breslau Academy 1903–1932,” the Silesian Museum offered an impressive insight into the work of this era. This show was shown in both Wroclaw and Görlitz from June 25, 2004 to September 25, 2005 and exhibited around 180 works by 55 artists, most of whom were previously unknown.

A lasting legacy

The death of Hans Peter Reisse caused waves not only in Görlitz, but also beyond the city limits. His tireless commitment to art history and his passion for the hidden areas of Wroclaw modernism will be remembered. The Silesian Museum and the art scene as a whole were enriched by his contribution. Whether he would have unearthed many other hidden talents in art history remains speculative, but his commitment to this was and remains invaluable.

Visit the Silesian Museum to learn more about this fascinating period of art history and experience the unique works preserved through the life's work of Hans Peter Reisse. For more information about his life and work, click on Sächsische or find out more about the Breslauer Academy and its important artists in the exhibitions of the Schlesisches Museum.