Harmonica Player

summer 1917

The Reusch Hut on the Stafelalp

Resenting Dr. Spengler’s constant watch and doing all he could to deceive him, Kirchner moved to the Reusch Hut on the Stafelalp in the summer of 1917; Erna Schilling stayed in Berlin, looking after the apartment and studio and keeping up commercial and personal contacts in Germany.

19 January 1917

First trip to Davos

On 19 January 1917 Kirchner arrived in Davos at the invitation of Helene Spengler, prompted by Eberhard Grisebach; he saw an exhibition of Ferdinand Hodler’s paintings but, because of exceptionally cold weather, returned to Berlin after only ten days.

April 1917

Death of Botho Graef and the decision to return to Davos

In April 1917 Kirchner’s close friend and mentor Botho Graef died; Kirchner decided to return to Davos for treatment under the lung specialist Dr. Lucius Spengler, who forced him to keep to strict rules and routine.

1917–1918

The Bellevue Sanatorium in Kreuzlingen

At the end of August 1917 Kirchner was visited once more by Henry van de Velde, through whose good offices he was admitted to Ludwig Binswanger’s Bellevue Sanatorium in Kreuzlingen, where he went on painting and making woodcuts.

1918

Moves to the “In den Lärchen” farm in Davos

In 1918 Kirchner received a residence permit and moved to the “In den Lärchen” farm above Längmatte in Davos — first renting a room in the upper hut, and in 1919 the rooms above — and furnished it with furniture he carved himself; he wrote to Henry van de Velde of a beautiful old Grisons house with a kitchen like Rembrandt’s studio.

1921

A large exhibition in Berlin

In 1921 a major display of Kirchner’s work was held in Berlin, and the reviews were favourable.