Richard Simon

Richard Simon (1898–1993) was a German expressionist who used the pseudonym 'Simmerl'. His portrait appears on the official poster of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

Paintings

Expressionist motifs, images of milky shine due to plenty of chalk mixed into oil paints. Nordic, Mediterranean, Austrian and German landscapes, portraits of his friends; in most cases using oil-based paint on painter cardboard or canvas; some sanguine and chalk drawings. The artist signed all his work as “SIM”. Simmerl lived and worked in a studio in Berlin, which he acquired from the German actress Adele Sandrock, close to the famous avenue Kurfürstendamm. At this location he painted until 1991 at the age of 93 years, almost every day. He completed his last painting in 1991, which then was sold in 1992 The chronological order of Simmerl's paintings clearly shows how his preference for the colors he used were changing with his age: from bright springish and summerly yellow-green impressions into darker blue or even blackish fall and winter sujets.

Simmerl Posing for the Poster of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin

The 'Propaganda Committee for the Olympic Games Berlin 1936' ordered the Hungarian graphic designer Theo Matejko to submit a draft for the official 1936 Olympics poster. This portrayed his then best friend, Simmerl, whole-body nude, holding a laurel wreath, backgrounded by the Brandenburg Gate and a rising sun. The national-socialist leaders, insisted that the model's private zone had to be covered with a sash including a cockade. Furthermore, a silver swastika should adorn the cockade, which Simmerl categorically rejected, using the - socially not acceptable, but historically verified - phrase “there will be no swastika on my balls”. the Austrian and German actresses Tilla Durieux (he portrayed her) and Adele Sandrock; later, during and after World War II operetta singer Käthe Dorsch as well as the actors Käthe Haak and Hans Söhnker. The last 15–20 years Simmerl was closest associated with the opera singer (bass-baritone) and college professor Josef Greindl, who died the same year 1993 as did his friend.

Simmerl’s paintings, which he always used to call his “kids” hung in the homes of Josef Greindl, Hans Söhnker and Käthe Haak. As a grumpy maverick, Simmerl only sold as many paintings as he needed to make a basic, humble and by no means luxurious living, which, however, during his long life accumulated to a significant number. But, after all, only his friends could share the privilege of owning his finest paintings.