schweizer schule
Kaspar Heinrich Merz was a Swiss draftsman and copper and steel engraver. From 1821, with the help of "a few patrons", he was "apprenticed" to the copper engraver Johann Jakob Lips in Zurich for four years. He also worked as an engraver for the magazine Historical Entertainment. Merz had also acquired a reputation for his color engravings, some of which he created over years of individual work.
Rudolf Koller was a Swiss painter. He is associated with a realist and classicist style, and also with the essentially romantic Düsseldorf school of painting. Koller's style is similar to that of the realist painters Gustave Courbet and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Considered Switzerland's finest animal painter, Koller is rated alongside George Stubbs, Rosa Bonheur and Théodore Géricault. While his reputation was based on his paintings of animals, he was a sensitive and innovative artist whose well-composed works in the "plein air" tradition, including Swiss mountain landscapes, are just as finely executed.
He has been described as "the painter of the Swiss national animal", because of his paintings of cows in Swiss landscapes. He is considered, along with Frank Buchser and Gustave Eugène Castan, to be one of the most important Swiss painters of the 19th century. The Gotthardpost, or The St Gotthard Mailcoach, is one of his most famous paintings. It depicts a mail coach, drawn by white horses, speeding along a mountain road.
Emil Nolde, a German-Danish artist, stands out as a pivotal figure in the Expressionist movement, celebrated for his vibrant use of color and dynamic brushwork. Born on August 7, 1867, Nolde was initially self-taught, developing a style that later became synonymous with expressive use of color and form. His early work included religious themes and landscapes, characterized by their emotional intensity and innovative color palette. Nolde's contributions to art were not limited to painting; he also excelled in printmaking, creating a significant body of work that includes etchings, woodcuts, and lithographs.
One of Nolde's most noteworthy periods was his time spent on the Baltic Sea island of Alsen from 1903 to 1916, where he produced seascapes that captured the natural world's dynamic essence. His painting "Meer Bei Alsen" (Sea Off Alsen) is a testament to this period, showcasing his ability to convey movement and emotion through color. Furthermore, Nolde's fascination with religious and mythological themes is evident in works like "Dance Around the Golden Calf," where he employs vivid colors and expressive figures to explore complex narratives.
Despite his artistic achievements, Nolde's life was not without controversy. During the Nazi regime, his work was labeled "degenerate," and he faced significant professional and personal challenges. Nonetheless, Nolde continued to create, producing a series of watercolors known as the "Unpainted Pictures" during this time. After World War II, Nolde's reputation was rehabilitated, and he was once again celebrated as a leading figure in modern art.
Nolde's legacy is preserved at the Nolde Foundation Seebüll, a museum dedicated to his life and work, established in the year of his death, 1956. His influence on the field of modern art, particularly within Expressionism, is undeniable, with his bold approach to color and form inspiring subsequent generations of artists.
For art collectors and experts, Nolde's work offers a compelling study in the evolution of modern art, reflecting the tumultuous times he lived through and his unyielding dedication to artistic expression. His ability to capture the essence of his subjects, from the natural beauty of the sea to the depths of human emotion, makes his work a valuable addition to any collection.
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Hans Erni was a Swiss graphic designer, painter, illustrator, engraver and sculptor.
