Paul DRESLER (* 1879 – † 1950)

1879
born in Siegen, Germany

after 1902
studies painting in the private “Debschitz-Schule” for free and applied arts, Munich-Schwabingp>

– extends his acquaintance with artists through his sister Emmi Dresler, who was one of the first students of Wassily Kandinsky; Emmi Dresler was friends with Gabriele Münter

1910
the visit of the exhibition “Masterpieces of Muhammadan Art” in Munich makes a great impression on Paul Dresler and after the visit of the exhibition he decides to become a ceramist

circa 1910
makes his first ceramics in the potter’s workshop of Joseph Schormeyer

1912
studies at the Keramische Fachschule Landshut, student of Jacob Julius Scharvogel, who produced stoneware according to Japanese models; membership in the German Werkbund

1913
founding of the pottery Grootenburg Paul Dresler GmbH in Krefeld thanks to the interest of the first director of the Krefeld Kaiser Wilhelm Museum in a pottery to promote local rural ceramics. In addition to ceramics with a folk character, ceramics with Japanese influences are also created.

1917-1918
war service

1919
return to Krefeld and continuation of the production in his pottery

1920
Margarete Pilger takes over the commercial management of the pottery, which allows him to concentrate on the artistic and technical aspects of production

– for his own works, Dresler preferred coal or wood-fired kilns with open flames, which gave the ceramics a vivid color effect

1928
workshop moves to larger premises at the Kuhleshütte (Krefeld-Oppum); Paul Dresler focuses on stoneware

1931
series production of stoneware

ab 1949
heads the pottery workshop at the Werkkunstschule Krefeld

1950
died in Krefeld, Germany