Rolf Münzner
One of the most important contemporary illustrators and graphic artists today, Rolf Münzner based in Leipzig, creates whimsical and dynamic fantasy worlds using the rare technique of asphalt scraping in lithography. His work is characterized by rich detail and heightened virtuosity, as well as a preference for literary themes, which he accompanies with congenial creations.
curriculum vitae
| 1942 | born in Geringswalde |
| 1948-1956 | school attendance in Leisnig |
| 1956-1960 | apprenticeship and work as a machinery locksmith in Leisnig |
| 1959-1960 | first artistic supervision in an evening course for painting and drawing at the Kulturhaus Döbeln |
| 1960-1962 | military service |
| attended evening classes at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig with Walter Münze and Gerhard Eichhorn | |
| 1962-1967 | Student at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst (HGB) Leipzig, initially studying under Fritz Fröhlich, H. Mayer-Foreyt, and briefly also under Werner Tübke; specialized studies in graphic design and illustration under Prof. Gerhard Kurt Müller; graduated with a Diploma |
| 1966 | marriage with Dr. Elke Köhler |
| death of the mother | |
| 1967 | diploma and admission to the Verband Bildender Künstler der DDR |
| then freelance work in Geithain | |
| 1967-1969 | occasionally worked in graphic design (exhibition design) |
| 1969-1972 | aspirantur at the HGB Leipzig under Albert Kapr and Rolf Kuhrt and in the lithography workshop under Horst Arloth |
| 1973 | start of teaching assignment for life drawing and introduction to illustration at the HGB Leipzig |
| decisive shift toward lithography using asphalt scraping technique | |
| start of extensive work on ″Der Meister und Margarita″ by Mikhail Bulgakov | |
| 1974 | construction of a studio with its own printing facilities in Geithain |
| 1979-1980 | construction of a residential building in Geithain |
| masterpieces to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ″Die neue Melusine″ | |
| 1988 | member of the international jury for the Kraków Biennale / Poland |
| 1989 | takeover of artistic direction of the lithography workshop at the HGB Leipzig |
| 1989-1991 | artwork on the theme of ″Simplicius Simplicissimus″ based on a film script by Franz Fühmann |
| 1992 | death of his wife |
| Professorship at the HGB Leipzig | |
| 1993 | member of the international jury for the Maastricht Biennale / Netherlands |
| 1994 | construction of a studio in Geithain |
| 1994-1997 | head of the Painting and Graphic Arts Department at the HGB Leipzig |
| more extensive works, including ″Leben und Taten des berühnten Ritters Schnapphahnski″ by Georg Weerth and ″Don Quichotte″ by Miguel de Cervantes | |
| 1997 | marriage with Margit Karpinski |
| 1998 | several study visits to Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland |
| landscape etchings; commencement of extensive work on ″Der Ackermann und der Tod″ based on Johannes von Saaz | |
| 2003 | takeover of the graphic design department at the HGB Leipzig together with Ulrich Hachulla |
| 2005 | resigned from teaching, since then working freelance again in Geithain |
further exhibitions
| 1970 | Museum der bildenden Künste, Kabinett, Leipzig |
| 1978 | Bibliothek Plagwitz »Georg Maurer«, Leipzig |
| 1979 | Galerie Arkade, Berlin |
| 1980 | Zentralinstitut für Kernforschung, Dresden-Rossendorf |
| 1982 | Galerie Oben, Karl-Marx-Stadt (Chemnitz) |
| Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig, with Michael Morgner (participation) | |
| Dürergesellschaft , Nürnberg | |
| 1987 | Lindenau-Museum, Altenburg |
| 1989 | Galerie Maurer, Bern/Schweiz |
| 1990 | Galerie Nickel-Zadow, Nürnberg |
| 1992 | Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig |
| 1993 | Alte Leipziger Lebensversicherungsgesellschaft, Oberursel |
| 1996 | Lindenau-Museum, Altenburg |
| 1997 | A.-Paul-Weber-Museum, Ratzeburg |
| 2000 | Davidsons-Galleries, Seattle/USA |
| 2002 | Galerie Jürgensen, Oetjendorf |
| 2004 | Künstlerhaus Hohenossig bei Leipzig |
| 2005 | Galerie Weise, Chemnitz |
| 2006 | Lippische Landesbibliothek, Detmold |
| 2007 | Kunstverein Coburg |
| Galerie am Sachsenplatz, Leipzig | |
| 2008 | Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig, with Karl-Georg Hirsch and Baldwin Zettl (participation) |
| 2009 | Panorama-Museum, Bad Frankenhausen |
| 2010 | Stadtmuseum Bautzen |
| 2011 | Burg Polsterstein, Ronneburg |
| 2012 | Galerie am Sachsenplatz, Leipzig |
| 2015 | Gellert-Museum, Hainichen |
| 2015/2016 | Grafikmuseum Stiftung Schreiner, Bad Steben |
| 2019 | GALERIE HIMMEL, Dresden, with Michael Morgner and Claus Weidensdorfer (participation) |
