Karl Schmid was a Swiss artist who lived and worked in Zurich from 1914 to 1998.

At a young age he met Oskar Kokoschka and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, both of whom were important in his artistic training. He later became a scientific illustrator at the University of Zurich under the tutelage of Professor Clairmont. His outstanding and skilful scientific drawings were published in several medical books and attracted the attention of Walter Gropius, who recommended him as a teacher to Johannes Itten at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Zurich.

 

In 1943 Karl Schmid founded the scientific drawing class there, one of the first of its kind. He taught at the Kunstgewerbeschule until 1971. Among his students were many great talents who went on to have distinguished careers. 

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In 1944, after the death of Sophie Taeuber, he began a lifelong friendship with Hans Arp, for whom he made most of his woodcuts.

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Karl Schmid never joined an art group, but his art could be associated with the Concrete Movement in Zurich. He mastered a wide range of techniques and materials: acrylic, oil and watercolour paintings; sculptures and reliefs in wood, marble and iron; graphics such as lithographs and woodcuts; drawings, murals and tapestries.

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He was exceptionally active in designing a large number of important murals and reliefs in public and private buildings in and around Zurich. These works of art are open to the public and well worth a visit. Their protection by the canton is desirable and necessary.