Carl Vinnen

He was born to Johann Christoph Vinnen (1829–1912), a shipping company owner, and his wife, Jenny Friederike née Westenfeld, who died when Carl was only seven.

In Düsseldorf, he made the acquaintance of Fritz Mackensen and Otto Modersohn, who would later be among the founders of the Worpswede Artists' Colony [de].

Although he never actually lived there, he came to be perceived as a member, and helped create the "Künstlervereinigung Worpswede" (artist's association), to promote their works; an enterprise for which his earlier commercial training proved useful.

In 1902, when the poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, wrote a book about the Worpswede Colony, Vinnen declined to be included.

In 1911, he led a protest against the growing influence of French art; occasioned by the acquisition of Van Gogh's Poppy Field, by the Kunsthalle Bremen; under the direction of Gustav Pauli.