Richard Klein
German painter, sculptor, graphic artist and medalist; personally protected by Goebbels and Hitler as god-gifted artist of the Third Reich
About Richard Klein
Lived 1890 – 1967 (aged 77). Richard Klein was a German sculptor, painter, university teacher, postage stamp designer, medalist and graphic artist.
Richard Klein (January 7, 1890 – July 31, 1967) was a German artist, known for his work as a medallist from the start of World War I in 1914, and mainly for his work as a favoured artist of the Nazi regime. Klein was director of the Munich School of Applied Arts and was one of Adolf Hitler's favourite painters.
Klein was one of the artists exhibited at the Große Deutsche Kunstausstellung (Great German Art Exhibition) held at the Haus der Kunst in Munich in 1937, meant as a contrast to the modern art condemned by the Third Reich as degenerate art (entartete Kunst). Klein's work at the exhibition included plaques contributed from Hitler's private collection. The poster for the exhibition, Das Erwachen (The Awakening), was designed by Klein and also used as the front cover for the Nazi art periodical Die Kunst im Deutschen Reich (Art in the Third Reich).
Klein also designed Nazi awards and decorations. These included, the Sudetenland Medal, Anschluss Medal, and Memel Medal, collectively known as the German Occupation Medals, plus the War Merit Medal and the Wehrmacht Long Service Award.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Richard Klein's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Richard Klein?
German painter, sculptor, graphic artist and medalist; personally protected by Goebbels and Hitler as god-gifted artist of the Third Reich (1890-1967)
When was Richard Klein born?
Richard Klein was born on 7 January 1890 in Munich.
When did Richard Klein die?
Richard Klein died on 31 July 1967 in Weßling.
What was Richard Klein's occupation?
Richard Klein was a sculptor, painter, university teacher, postage stamp designer, medalist and graphic artist.
What nationality was Richard Klein?
Richard Klein was German.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Richard Klein (artist)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Richard Klein. https://biography.guide/richard-klein/
MLA: "Richard Klein." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/richard-klein/.
Chicago: "Richard Klein." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/richard-klein/.
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