gruppe real is the name of a group of painters based in Wiesbaden who had dedicated themselves to realistic representation. It was Franz Theodor Schütt, Karl Hermann Buch, Erika Kohlhöfer-Hammesfahr and Bruno Reinbacher who positioned themselves under this name in 1965. Felix Hamsvaar (real name Hammesfahr) joined them in 1980 and Dr. Michael Moering (1942-1986) in 1982.

The gruppe real can be seen in the context of the emergence of New Realism, which developed in the 1960s as a return to realistic traditions, provoked by a criticism of abstract painting, which gave more importance to the outer form than to the content. With their meticulous representational painting, the artists of the gruppe real took a critical look at the terrible experiences of war, the attentive observation of social changes, the highlighting of grievances, environmental issues and the increasing dominance of technology. The sharp view of people and objects dissected the surfaces. Surfaces were provided with high-contrast structures, sometimes collaged with folded and punched fabrics. The commitment to reality was explicitly cultivated by the members as a counter-world to abstract art.

Hildebrand, Alexander: (The Neoverist) Franz Theodor Schütt. In: Wiesbaden international, 11/1979, H. 2 [pp. 35-39].

Hildebrand, Alexander: Finding Everyday Life. The painter K H Buch, 2nd ed., Wiesbaden 2001.

Hildebrand, Alexander: (The painter and graphic artist) Bruno Reinbacher. In: Wiesbaden international 17/1985, H. 2 [pp. 31-33].