Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach (1851 - 1913)

Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach

Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach was a German artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, representative of Symbolism and Art Nouveau style, as well as a public figure, the creator of the commune Himmelhof.

Diefenbach gained fame as an artist while he was still a young man. He made a successful living by creating illustrations for children's books and watercolor copies. In 1882, he announced the creation of his own doctrine, which included ideas about living in harmony with nature, rejecting monogamy and religion, practicing naturism and vegatarianism. The artist then also created the famous 68-meter frieze work "Per aspera ad astra". Diefenbach became a major artist on the island of Capri, while in his homeland his work was neglected.