Figure group

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.

1909

Ten months in Florence

In 1909 Barlach spent ten months in Florence. In these years he turned to German Gothic art, which decisively shaped the style of his mature works.

1910

Settles in Güstrow for the rest of his life

In 1910 Barlach settled in Güstrow in Mecklenburg, where he lived for the rest of his days.

1912

The drama “The Dead Day”

Barlach the writer produces the drama The Dead Day (other accounts date it to 1917); Thomas Mann praised it highly.

1915–1916

An infantryman in the war, he returns a pacifist

Barlach volunteered for the war as an infantryman but was discharged after three months of service because of a heart ailment. He came back a convinced pacifist and opponent of war, and its horror shaped all his subsequent works.