This audio document with selection of photographs summarizes key aspects of Georg Kolbe’s life, artistic development, and the significance of his work, drawing upon the provided sources. It explores his artistic style, engagement with contemporary movements, and the challenges of his reception, particularly in relation to the National Socialist era.

- Georg Kolbe: (1877-1947) A German sculptor and medalist. Known for his figurative sculptures, particularly nudes, and his versatility in drawing. He worked in multiple political systems and was successful in the art market, which is often interpreted as politically ambiguous. He was included on Hitler’s “special list” of important artists.
- Benjamine van der Meer de Walcheren: (d. 1927) Kolbe’s wife, who he married in 1902. Her death by suicide greatly affected Kolbe and was a catalyst for him to move to his new studio in Berlin-Westend.
- Leonore Kolbe: (1902-1981) Georg and Benjamine’s daughter. She lived with her husband in the house adjacent to Kolbe’s studio.
- Maria von Tiesenhausen: (1929-2019) Kolbe’s granddaughter. Her inheritance of Kolbe’s papers substantially expanded the archives of the Georg Kolbe Museum.
- Rudolf Kolbe: (1873-?) Georg’s older brother, an architect and art industrialist in Dresden.
- Louis Tuaillon: Sculptor under whom Kolbe started his sculptural work in Rome.
- Paul Cassirer: Kolbe’s main art dealer in Berlin.
- Auguste Rodin: French sculptor whom Kolbe visited in 1909.
- Richard von Kühlmann: German ambassador in Istanbul who helped Kolbe during World War I.
- Talât Pascha: Young Turkish politician who was portrayed by Kolbe in Istanbul.
- Wilhelm Reinhold Valentiner: Art historian who published a monograph on Kolbe in 1922.
- Max Liebermann: Artist and fellow member of the Free Secession Berlin.
- Ernst Barlach: Artist who was initially selected to make a war memorial for Stralsund, but whose designs were rejected.
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: Architect whose Barcelona Pavilion prominently displayed Kolbe’s sculpture, Der Morgen.
- Georg Swarzenski: (1876-1957) Director of the Städelsches Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt, who commissioned the Heine Monument from Kolbe and was involved in the art scene. He was a friend of Kolbe but was eventually forced into exile due to his Jewish heritage. He is connected to the Cooper List of German Art Personnel.
- Hanns Swarzenski: Georg’s son who worked with Erwin Panofsky at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ. He assisted his father in his transition to the USA.
- Fritz Klimsch: Sculptor who was invited to participate in the competition for the Heine Monument.
- Emil Hub: Frankfurt-based sculptor who participated in the Heine Monument competition.
- Rudolf G. Binding: Author who wrote about the “Beethoven Monument,” and continued to publish on Kolbe during the Nazi era, aligning with the nationalistic interpretations of the work.
- Adolf Hitler: Leader of the Nazi regime. Purchased Kolbe’s work and placed him on his “special list”.
- Bernhard Rust: Head of the Reich Ministry of Science, Education and Culture. Purchased Kolbe’s sculpture Die Hüterin.
- Walther Funk: Reich Economics Minister who purchased Kolbe’s Herabschreitender.
- John Heartfield: Artist who produced a collage responding to Kolbe’s creation of a Franco bust and Beethoven memorial.
- Wilhelm Pinder: Art historian who interpreted Kolbe’s works from a nationalist and Nazi perspective. He attempted to convince Friedrich Krebs about the value of the Beethoven monument as propaganda. He has been called the “art pope of National Socialism”.
- Alfred Wolters: Art historian who wrote an essay about Victor Müller, published for Swarzenski’s 75th birthday. He was previously involved in an “ostracism” campaign against Swarzenski.
- Walter Kolb: New mayor who spoke at the unveiling of the Beethoven Monument in 1951.
- Ernst Rentsch: Swiss architect who collaborated with Kolbe on his studio in Berlin-Westend.
- AGP (Heidenreich, Meier, Polensky, Zeumer): Architectural firm that created the extension for the Georg Kolbe Museum in 1996.
- Paul Linder: Bauhaus architect who designed Kolbe’s ton studio.
- Winfried Brenne: The architectural firm that restored the Kolbe museum.
- Henry van de Velde: Belgian architect and designer portrayed by Kolbe.
- Harry Graf Kessler: German writer and diplomat, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Friedrich Ebert: President of the Weimar Republic, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Edith von Schrenck: Socialite portrayed by Kolbe.
- Ferruccio Busoni: Italian composer, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Gret Palucca: German dancer, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Max Slevogt: German painter, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Hans Prinzhorn: German psychiatrist and art historian, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Max Liebermann: German painter and printmaker, portrayed by Kolbe.
- Viola Tegtmeyer: Subject of a bronze bust by Kolbe.