In 1919 a circle of artists and friends in Darmstadt felt the need to create a spiritual center.
The association known as the Secession was founded on 8 June 1919 by 21 people including Max Beckmann and Ludwig Meidner.
Besides works by Expressionists it also showed the art of Cubists, Dadaists, Constructivists and representatives of Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity).
Some of the subsequent exhibitions caused scandals, such as "Deutsche Kunst Darmstadt 1923" (German Art Darmstadt 1923) and in 1929 "Der schöne Mensch in der neuen Kunst" (Beautiful Man in the New Art).
Since 1975, a biennial prize has been awarded to young artists, funded by the HSE Foundation and the city of Darmstadt.