A magnificent landscape, in oil-on-canvas: the view from a clearing of a tranquil, glassy lake—with sailboats visible at the far shore—by contemporary German artist WILLI BAUER (b. 1923). The eye is drawn from the rich, earthy greens and browns of the foreground to the soft, cobalt blues of the far-off mountains and the sky above. Bauer’s signature technique creates a subtly impressionistic effect, a peaceful haze that belies the masterful, controlled brushwork beneath. Most probably painted in the early 1980s. The perfect depiction of a glorious Bavarian afternoon, grandly framed.

WILLI BAUER was born in Germany in 1923, in the idyllic Spessart, a low, wooded mountain range in northern Bavaria. The area’s picturesque countryside left a lasting impression on Bauer, as did scenes of local village life. Following an early art education in Berlin, his studies with the Fine Arts Faculty at the acclaimed Städelschule in Frankfurt under Professor Franz Karl Dellavilla (1884–1967) laid the foundation for a lifelong scholarly and painterly approach.

Ranking among the most important and successful contemporary German artists, Bauer’s work has been purchased by galleries and collectors worldwide. This international recognition can be attributed to his vivacity and bold, evocative style. Bauer’s magical technique represents a transition between rich impressionism and controlled expressionism. While uniquely his own, it exists within the tradition of the German master Otto Pippel (1878-1960). Both Bauer’s landscapes and his genre paintings celebrate the universality of love of one’s surroundings and particular way of life—while reminding the world of the richness and warmth of German scenery.

DETAILS

Artist – WILLI BAUER (b. 1923)

Period/Year – 1980s

Origin – WEST GERMANY

Styles/Movements – IMPRESSIONIST

Media – OIL

Support – CANVAS

Colors – SKY BLUE, TAUPE, DARK GREEN, SIENNA

Condition – Excellent vintage condition. Minor wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions – 42" H × 36 ½" W × 3 ½" D