Gerhard Charles Rump was born in Bochum on 24 February 1947. After graduating from the Graf-Engelbert-Schule, he studied art history, English language and literature, philosophy, education and psychology at the Ruhr University in Bochum from 1968 to 1972. He continued his studies at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn and completed his doctorate in 1972 on the 18th century British portraitist George Romney.
Professional career
Rump began his professional career as a subject librarian at Bochum University Library. In 1974, he took up an assistant position in art history at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. From 1983 onwards, he worked as a freelance journalist for renowned newspapers such as "Die Welt" and "Rheinischer Merkur". He also worked as a financial consultant. In 1986/87, he worked as a monument conservator in Wesel before becoming manager for corporate communications and later marketing director at Mannesmann Tally (now Tally Genicom) in 1987. In 1987, he completed his habilitation at the University of Duisburg.
Return to journalism and art
In 1994, Rump returned to journalism as editor for the art market at the newspaper "Die Welt" and continued his research in art history and art theory. He specialised in media theory, art communication and semiotics. He also made a name for himself as a photographic artist.
Gallery and late years
In 2010, he left "Die Welt" to concentrate on university teaching, writing and curating exhibitions. In 2011, together with Catrin Rothe and Bernhard Ailinger, he founded the art project and producer gallery "RAR Gallery" with locations in Berlin, New York and Palo Alto.
Publications and exhibitions
Gerhard Charles Rump has published numerous works on art history and art theory. His best-known publications include "Rekonstruktionen. Positionen zeitgenössischer Kunst" (2010) and "Mythos und Moderne. Edvard Frank, Life and Work" (1999). He has also curated several exhibitions and co-authored award-winning articles, including the "Clarion Award" for Konstantin Akinsha's contribution to the Russian avant-garde (2009).
Death
Gerhard Charles Rump died on 26 July 2020 in Berlin.
Gerhard Charles Rump was a multi-talented art historian, art theorist, curator, gallery owner and photographic artist. His work and contributions to art history as well as his activities in journalism and gallery work left a lasting mark on the art world.
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