Laible, Otto

1898 Haslach/Kinzigtal - 1962 Karlruhe

1916, war service. From 1919, trains as an engraver in Karlsruhe and Pforzheim. Studies at the Badische School of Art in Karlsruhe. Pupil of Georg Scholz and Walter Conz. 1922, master-class pupil of Ernst Würtenberger. 1924, an award makes possible first stay in Paris. From 1929, working as an independent artist. Numerous visits to Paris. 1933, proposed for the Villa Massimo Prize. Proposal fails when the National Socialists come to power. Because of his love of French art and way of life he is decried as a “Frenchie”. 1939-45, war service. 1944, destruction of his Karlsruhe studio in a bombing raid. After the war he founds together with Hubbuch and others the artists’ group “Der Kreis” [“The Circle”]. 1947, appointed to teach drawing at the Karlsruhe Academy of Art. 1949, appointed professor. 1952, final visit to Paris. 1957-58, deputy rector at the Karlsruhe Academy. 1953, becomes ill with a heart disease from which he dies on 22 August 1962.