High-Class

1904

First solo exhibition, in Berlin

Barlach's first solo exhibition was held at Richard Mutz's Kunstsalon in Berlin. Yet his works still failed to sell, which left the sculptor depressed.

1906

Eight weeks in Russia

To lift his spirits, Barlach travelled for eight weeks with his brother Nikolaus to visit their brother Hans, who was working in Kharkiv, and saw Kharkiv, Pokotilovka, Konstantinovka, Belgorod and Bakhmut. The journey became one of the greatest influences on his art: “Russia showed me its face,” he later wrote.

1906

Son born: Nikolaus Barlach

1906–1908

Custody battle with Rosa Schwab over his son

While Barlach was travelling in Russia, his son Nikolaus was born on 20 August 1906. A two-year struggle with the child's mother, Rosa Schwab, over custody followed, and in the end Barlach was granted it.

1907

The Berlin Secession and Simplicissimus

In 1907 Barlach became a member of the Berlin Secession and began contributing to the magazine Simplicissimus.