Dörte Clara Wolff: Art Deco Artist and Illustrator

Dörte Clara Wolff: Art Deco Artist and Illustrator

Posted by Sophia Howell on

Dörte Clara Wolff (1907-1996) known as Dodo, was a German-born artist, illustrator, and costume designer, who studied at the prestigious Berlin Academy of Art.

Dodo 1928
Dörte Clara Wolff (Dodo), 1928

Her distinctive ‘Art Deco’ style, a fusion of German Expressionism and New Objectivity, captured the spirit of 1920s high-society Weimer Germany, through her varied subjects, from portraits to abstract compositions. She found early success creating bright colored gouaches for the satirical magazine ‘Ulf’.

 Bad Idea 1929

Bad Idea, Dodo 1929

Forced to emigrate to England in 1936 due to the Nazi regime, her art reflected the era's somber tone, connecting viewers with the emotions and experiences of her subjects. In London, Dodo illustrated books and cards and focused on expanding her skills as an artist.

 The Red Carpet 1928
The Red Carpet, Dodo 1928

After being mostly forgotten, Dodo’s work was ‘rediscovered’ in 2009 and the first exhibition of her work on was held in the State Museum in Berlin in 2012.

 Self-Portrait 1928
Self-Portrait, Dodo 1929

Characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and emotive depth, Dodo's art embodies the Art Deco period and the 1920s, and continues to inspire generations of artists and collectors.

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