1934 Born on May 30 in Köln as the only childof Emil Arentz and Henriette (born Wieden). He grew up in a smallbusinessman's family in Leverkusen.
1940 - 1951 Attends school and graduates from aRealschule. At the age of 12 he starts to show an interest in worksof art; in this interest he is strengthened above all by hisgrandmother Sophie (born Sauer). Lasting impressions are made byfrequent visits to the Carl Duisberg Park in Leverkusen.
There he is introduced to the works of thecontemporary sculptors Fritz Klimsch as well as the extensivesculpture collection of Carl Duisberg.
From 1950 he was encouraged to artistic work byconversations with the collector and designer Gustav Ebel fromSolingen, student of the painter and graphic artist JoStrahn.
1951 - 1954 In spite of artistic ambitions helearns the family business in their fish and meat business. From 1954works as an independent businessman.
1959 Marriage with Maria-Therese Klein fromMorsbach-Sieg in Nordrhein-Westfallen. Beginning of a close dialogwith contemporary artists. Among them the animal painter Franz-XaverStahl (Erding), the animal and landscape painter Michael MatthiasKiefer (Feldweis, Bavaria), the landscape painter R. W. Groeschel,landscape painter Paus Paulus (Prien/Chiemsee), portraitist andlandscape painter Willibald Demmel (Gstad/Chiemsee), the painterWolfgang Tritt (Berlin), portrait painter Josef Vitze(Berchtesgaden), the sculptor Kurt Moser (Munich), HeinrichFaltmeier, Werner Franzen (Bergisch-Gladbach), Erneman Sander (Bonn),the painters Prof. Paul Matthias Padua (Munich), Prof. WilhelmBroghammer (Bayreuth), Hermann Eller (Deggendorf), KlemensSiebeneichler (Leichlingen), Rudolf Schacht (Rothenburg), Jo Strahn(Düsseldorf), Prof. Georg Siebert (painter of the new realism),painter Kurt Lorenz (Leverkusen), Gottfried Pohl (Leverkusen), horsepainter Klaus Phillip (Lüneburger Heide), animal painter BodoMeier (Netphen/Sauerland), animal painter Klaus Maier(Aschaffenburg), animal painter Pal Cergezan(Budapest,Hungary).
The lady painters Inge Ungewitter (Munich), HelgaTiemann (Köln), Lieselotte Schramm-Heckmann (Düsseldorf).Also talks with Prof. Arno Breker, Prof. Werner Peiner, Prof. GeorgSiebert.
1961 Birth of his son Frank (April 27,1961)
1967 Birth of his daughter Dagmar (February 17,1967)
1968 - 1977 Experiments with various artistictechniques in painting, drawing and sculpture.
1978 Beginning of the sculpture series "The Arc ofNoah" with depictions of animals in small format.
Encouraged to further sculptural work by Prof.Arno Breker, Prof. Werner Peiner and Prof. Georg Siebert.
1980 First exhibition of his work of arts, afteryears of working in silence.
1981 First exhibition in the "Haus der Kunst," afamous art museum in Munich
Makes studies on the theme Adam and Eve; beginswork on the series "Animals and Creation", among them the bronzefalcon "Sheik." Official commission for the creating of the PaulichMemorial of the city of Leverkusen (unveiled on June 25,1982).
1982 Portrait Ulrike Mayfarth, handed over on June28, 1982. (Twice winner of Olympic gold medals). With this, portraitsbecome a central theme of the cretive work of the artist.
Beginning of the work on the portraits of theBavarian Prime Minister Franz-Josef Strauss. The bronze portraits areexhibited later in the German capital Bonn: in front of the residenceof Strauss (in larger-than-life size) and in the Bavarian House ofRepresentatives in Bonn. A relief also in the Strauss artcollection.
1983 Presentation of more than 20 horse sculpturesat the "Official International Equesterian Tournament" in the FederalRepublic of Germany . CHIO, Aachen.
Portrait Herbert von Karajan, which is laterexhibited at the house in Salzburg where von Karajan was born.Portait of the Wagnerian singer Peter Hofmann.
Special exhibition in the "German Hunting andFishing Museum" in Munich, under the patronage of the Prime MinisterFranz-Josef Strauss.
1984 Exhibition takes place at theNordrhein-Westfallen Kunstkreis (NRW-Kunstkreis), withrepresentations of Don Quichote and Sancho Panza. The first book "TheSculptor Kurt Arentz" is published by Marco-Edition, Bonn-Paris-NewYork.
Portrait of thepopular actor Willy Millowitsch(exhibition in April in the Milowitsch Theatre in Köln in thepresence of the artist). Arentz talks in favor of closer cooperationwith and for support of artists living in East Germany. Arentzbecomes engaged in supporting freedom of expression in thearts.
Sculpture exhibition in the museum of naturalsciences Alexander König Museum in Bonn under the patronage ofthe German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt. Exhibition of the portraits ofKarajan and Hofmann in the Dumont-Lindemann-Archives inDüsseldorf.
Handing over of the portrait of the GermanPresident Karl Carstens in Bonn to the statesman. The GermanPresident visits the Arentz Exhibition in the KönigMuseum.
1985 Exhibition of the bust Ulrike Mayfarth in thefoyer of the Sport Center "Kurt-Riess-Halle" in Leverkusen in thepresence of the sportswoman and the artist.
Invitation to join the American committee "Art forOlympia."
Work on the larger-than-life bust of the animalfilm maker and writer Heinz Sielmann, which is exhibited at theHeinz-Sielmann-Foundation on June 22, 1986 in Sielmann'spresence.
Invitation to the birthday celebration ofFranz-Josef Strauss and handing over of the bronze "Birkhahn-Balz" inrecognition of the CSU politician's engagement forecology.
Handing over in Munich of the portrait "ManfredWörner" to the German Minister of Defense and later on, theSecretary General of NATO.
1986 Exhibition of the bust "Mildred Scheel" on along-term loan to the House of German Cancer Help Association in Bonn(January 15).
Meeting with Georg Leber. Followed by the creationof a bust of the former German Defense Minister in the governmentunder Brandt.
Creation of a pair of bald eagles "Liberty" and"Peace." These eagles, represented on the American coat-of-arms, arehanded over to Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy at the White House inWashington
Exhibition of the large-than-life bronze eagle atthe German military airport "Wahner-Heide" between Köln and Bonnby the German Defense Minister Manfred Wörner (Monday, June9).
Exhibition of the bronze "Roland", the horse ofthe BAYER Riding Club, in front of the Riding Hall in Leverkusenacross from the Museum of the Morsbroich Castle. The portrait of theGerman minister of agriculture Ignaz Kiechle is handed over at theMinistry in Bonn (September 19, 1986).
Sculpture exhibition in the framework of theinitiative "Art into the Countryside" in the Haus Schlesien near Bonnin cooperation with the World Wildlife Fund, an organizationdedicated to protecting Nature; it is opened by the German WWForganization's president Prince Casimir zuSayn-Wittgenstein.
Honored by the the award of the bronze-medal atthe International Wildlife and Ecology Exhibition in the Frankenhallein Nürnberg (May 23 to June 1). Takes up an internationaldialog, above all with USA and Western Europe.
Takes the death-mask of Margarethe Goussanthier,called Madame Buchela, a woman well-known after 1945 for herpredictions of the future, known as "Pythia of Bonn."
1987 Portrait Jean-Marie Rausch, President de laRegion Lorraine and the French Minister of Foreign Trade (handingover of the bust on May 19). First exhibition in France takes placein "Hotel de Ville," the city hall of Metz.
Arentz receives the cultural prize of 1987 fromthe German Jagdschutzverband e V., "in recognition of his importantachievements as sculptor." Letter of thanks from the US PresidentRonald Reagan for the creationg of the two bald eagles (May 26,1987). Presentation of the bust "Josef Neckermann," the president ofthe German Sport Help Association, in the atelier of the artist inLeverkusen.
First meeting with Ernst Fuchs, the founder of theViennese School of Fantastic Realism (Friday, September 18, 1987). Atthat time presentation of a study of head in bronze "Portrait ErnstFuchs."
In commission from the city of Metz, therenovation of a famous dog sculpture by the French sculptor ChristophFratin, which belongs to the art collection of the city of Metz.Portrait of the French culinary master Paul Haeberlin is exhibited inthe "Auberge de Ill" in Illhäusern/Elsass.
Joint exhibition with the painter Helga Tiemann"Portraits of Personalities of Our TIme" in the House ofParliamentary Society in the German capital Bonn.
1988 Portrait of the CDU politician Kai-Uwe vonHassel, the former German Minister and President of the Parliament.Handing over in Bonn.
Handing over of the portrait Axel Springer(August) to the widow of the publisher. Exhibition of the work in theAxel-Springer-Haus in Berlin, Kochstrasse.
Meeting with Willy Brandt. Followed by a portraitof the former German Chancellor.
Relief "Three Horses" for the state collection ofBaaden-Württenberg's Landsgestüt in Marbach. Inscription onthe relife: "With the heritage to the future." Handing over to Dr.Wolfgang Cranz.
Creation of the bust "Dr. Jakob Omphal" from acoin. Omphal is first officially mentioned citizen of Wiesdorf in the16th century; Wiesderof later on became the city of Leverkusen.Honorary prize from a citizens association for distinguished citizensof Leverkusen.
1989 Arentz opens up the public debate on the newdesign of the German Eagle, which hangs in the German Parliament asthe official German sign. Exhibition of the monumental bustFranz-Josef Strauss in the German capital Bonn, of the FinanceMinister Theo Waigel and other leading personalities of the politicalparties CDU and CSU.
Creation of the "Far-looking Falcon", which theFund for Ecological Studies awards as its ecological prize.Co-founders of the prize are Christianne and Emil Underberg. Firstprize is awarded to Erivan Haub (Tengelmann) and IBM director OlafHenkel.
1990 Exhibition of the portrait of the cellist andmusic conductor "Mstislav Rostropovich," as well as of the Catalanarchitect "Ricardo Bofill" im ARSENAL of the Philharmonic Orchestrain the city of Metz.
Handing over of the bust "Helmut Kohl" to theGerman Chancellor on the occasion of his 60th birthday celebration inthe Beethoven Hall in Bonn. Portrait of the German Foreign MinisterHans-Dietrich Genscher handed over.
Handing over, in the Town Hall of Schöneberg,of the portrait "Peter Lorenz" (President of the Berlin Senate from1975 - 1980), commissioned by the Berlin Senate.
Exhibition of the more than two meters tall bronzesculpture "Rising Steinbocks" in Klosters in Switzerland, in front ofthe Sylvretta-Parkhotel.
1991 Exhibition of the bronze sculpture "RisingSteinbock" in Vupera/Engadin in Switzerland. Invitation into the jury"Children and Art", a folk contest to promote creativity ofschoolchildren in pre-school age. Creation of the "Ohrenorden" whichis awarded by the traditional "Kölner Bürgergesselschaftvon 1868" as Honorary Prize to publicly engaged citizens whose "earis listening to the pulse of Time." (Among the prize recipients areGerman Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, prelate NorbertHerkenrath of the Help Organization MISEREOR, the TV journalist GerdRuge and the journalist and moderator Carmen Thomas, as well asFranz-Xaver Ohnesorg, director of the Köln PhilharmonicOrchestra).
First journey to USA with wife Marie-Therese onthe invitation of the German-American National Congress (DANK). Visitto Ronald Reagan on April 29, 1991. Handing over of the portrait byB. John Zavrel, the director of the American Museum of European Art.Followed by the letter of thanks by Reagan for the bust which is madepart of the collection of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.Commission from USA for a bust "Geoge Bush."
Award of the ecological prize "Ecological Eagle"to the German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher at theNörvenich Castle in the presence of Heinz Sielmann and MargotWerner.
Meeting with the Spanish Crown Prinze Felipe at aDali Exhibition at the Nörvenich Castle.
1992 More and more prominent personalities visitthe atelier of the artist, among them the CDU politician Dr.Jürgen Rütgers, the Education Minister of the Kohlgovernment. Meeting with Michael Gorbatchev in Berlin in connectionwith the award of honorary citizenship to the former Soviet head ofstate as well as to the US President Ronald Reagan, who wasrepresented by the director of his office.
Talks with the French writer Roger Peyrefitte onthe occasion of his visit to poetry reading at the NörvenichCastle.
1993 Award of the "Ecological Eagle", designed byArentz to H.R.H. Prince Charles (March 19). The award, which tookplace in the presence of the artist, was made by the German ForeignMinister Klaus Kinkel in the guest mansion of the German government"Petersberg" near Bonn. The main speaker, Sir Peter Ustinov praisedthe "philosophically-looking" eagle: "It is the first German eaglewhich appeals to me."
Arentz retrospective takes place in the front hallof the skyscraper in Liverkusen. The opening is on June 30 by Dr.Bertram Anders, and the German minister of agriculture Dr. IgnazKiechle. Minister Kiechle thanked the artist for "the art, whichevery person can grasp and understand, an art which gives one joyinstead of fear, which gives answers instead of raising uselessquestions."
The "Zachäus Memorial" is unveiled inLeverkusen-Quettingen (May 8). The presentation shows the "Drickes"Heinrich Kosten.
Creation of the "Bergish Lion" with the typicaldouble tail, for the title page of the Annual Book of the"Rheinisch-Bergischer Kalender 1994," which has been publishedcontinuously for 64 years.
Exhibition of a life-size group of wolves "FourWolves" of the frim WOCO in Epinal in France. (Another group ofwolves is exhibited in 1995 in Bad Soden-Salmünster).
First comprehensive exhibition of 50 of hispaintings takes place in the Raiffeisenbank inLeverkusen-Lützenkirchen.
1994 Study journey to South Africa with wifeMarie-Therese (April). Among other, stay in the Cape region and inthe Krüger National Park to observe the African wild life. InCape Town award of the cultural prize of the "Conseil Internationalde la Chasse et de la Conservation du Gibier" (C.I.C.). Handed overby the chairman of the jury, Princess Maria zu Stolberg-Wernigerodein presence of Horst Niesters and Dr. Nicholas Franco(Spain).
Award of the "Omphal Medal" to Arentz, in memoryof the the lawyer Jacob von Omphal (155-1567).
A large Arentz retrospective on the occasion ofthe 60th birthday of the artist in Museum Europäische Kunst atthe Nörvenich Castle in Germany. The exhibiton is under thepatronage of the President of the German Parliament, Prof. Dr. RitaSüssmuth. The closing reception is attended by Mrs. HanneloreKohl, who in her laudatio on the artist conveyed the greetings fromthe German Chancellor.
Journey to the USA. Handing over of the portrait"George Bush" in the presence of Barbara Bush at the privateresidence in Kennebunkport in Maine. The portrait is to be placed inthe future George Bush Presidential Library in Texas. Award of the"Ecological Eagle" to George Bush by B. John Zavrel in presence ofBarbara Bush, Marie-Therese Arentz, General Brent Scowcroft, theformer National Security advisor of President Bush. He receives aletter of thanks from George Bush, with praise for the portrait(August 16, 1995).
Meeting with Wilson Greatbatch, the inventor ofthe implantable heart pacemaker and Vice-Grandmaster of the Order ofAlexander the Great for Art and Science.
1995 Invitation as board member of C.I.C. at theannual meeting of the international organization in Monaco under thepatronage of Prince Rainier of Monaco. Study journey to Corsica toobserve wild animals in free nature. Stay at Camarque to observe wildhorses, black bulls and wild birds.
Meeting with the pianist Justus Frantz in Bonn.The taking of his handprint. Participates with 20 of his bronzesculptures at the State Garden Show in Nordrhein-Westfallen inGrevenbroich.
Handing over of the portrait Ernst Fuchs at theexhibition "Ernst Fuchs - the Masterpieces" on the occasion of the65th birthday of the painter at the Museum Europäische Kunst atNörvenich Castle (September 9, 1995).
1996 Study journey to Greece on the invitation ofthe Order of Alexander the Great for Art and Science. With daughterDagmar they visit the ancient places in Athens, Delphi, on theislands of Delos, Mykonos and Santorini, and also Cape Sunion. AnAlexander-Dinner is given by the Chancellor of the Alexander-Order,B. John Zavrel in honor of Arentz, in connection with the award toArentz of the "Grand Star of Athens" in appreciation of the artist'scontributions to the classical traditon. At the meeting in front ofthe night panorama of the bringtly-lit Acropolis, at the laudatiosome of the other knights of the Alexander-Order are remembered,amongthem Ernst Jünger and Ronald Reagan.
Portrait of President Bill Clinton commissionedfrom USA.
Exhibition "Kurt Arentz in Berlin", in the BerlinTown Hall opens on October 1.
Invitation to an exhibition in 1997 (from January26) "The Many Forms of Animals" in Baykomm, the Communications Centerof the firm BAYER AG in Leverkusen. Opening by Prof. HeinzSielmann.
1997 Exhibition of the bronze "The Journey -Mother and Child" in the pedestrian zone in Opladen-Leverkusen. InApril and May he makes a study journey on the Rhone and to Camarque.Commission for portrait Ernst Gerstenberg.
In May and June he completes the Heinz SielmannEcological Prize "Fischotter." The handing over ceremony to the prizerecipient takes place in Duderstadt.
Bronze creation "The Loyal Hussar" at theStephanus Church in Leverkusen Bürrig. An initiative "Leverkusenshould live more beautifully" with Dr. Betram Anders, Mayor Dr.Walter Mende. Dedication by Cardinal Joachim Meisner.
Participation at "10 Years GestütsmuseumMarbach" in Offenhausen.
Bronze creation of the Saint Maurinus inLützenkirchen, an Irish-Scottish monk who served in the area asa missionary aroundthe year 900.
Initiative "Artists Help", a Czech-made automobileSkoda-Oktavia is turned into a work of art.
Invitation by President George Bush and First LadyBarbara to the inauguration of the George Bush Presidential Libraryat the A & M University in College Station, Texas. There ahanding over of the bronze portrait First Lady BarbaraBush.
Award of the prize for science "Heart in Hand" byConsul B. John Zavrel to Prof. Dr. Julian Ambrus in Buffalo, New Yorkin the presence of the Nobel Prize winner Dr. Herbert Hauptmann andthe inventor of the implantable heart pacemaker Dr. WilsonGreatbatch.
Ceremonial handing over of the bronze horse Rolandto the BAYER Riding Club in Leverkusen.
1998 Dedication of the Cardinal Frings Memorial inKöln on the Laurentz Square in the presence of Cardinal JoachimMeisner, the German minister Dr. Norbert Blüm, and the Mayor ofKöln, Norbert Burger.
Portraits Dr. Rheinfried Pohl, ElisabethHaub.
In May, a study journey to Prague and the C.I.C.annual meeting. Meeting with Prince Lobkowitz.
Award of the Heinz Sielmann Ecological Eagle toGerman minister Borchert.
Exhibition "Kunst im alten Südhaus" at theSchneider Brewery in Kelheim.
In June, inivitation by the US Embassy to theunveiling of the monumental sculpture "Spring into Freedom" inBerlin. The sculpture of five mustangs jumping over the remnants ofthe Berlin Wall, created by the American sculptor Veryl Goodnight,makes a great impression on Arentz: "This sculpture is the mostimportant depiction of an animal in art at the end of the 20thcentury. This great work can be compared to the Statute of Liberty inNew York," said the artist at the unveiling ceremony attended byPresident George Bush.
Copyright 1999 Museum of European Art
Biography by B. Castell