Erich Waske
Port Area

Name: Port Area
Brand: Erich Waske
Price: 8213.67 USD
Availability: InStock

About the Item

Deeling with the work of Erich Waske today, one encounters first of all a number of reasons why this outstanding artist has fallen into such undeserved oblivion. In addition to the destruction of his studio and thus much of the previous life’s work in the Second World War and his unadapted personality, this includes the careless handling of his own estate. While Waske is almost unknown in the public perception of the art world, he was considered during his lifetime as one of the most important representatives of German Expressionism, which was part of the extended “Brücke” artist collective. Two monographs were published as early as 1921, he exhibited with Schmidt-Rottluff, Kandinsky and Pechstein and also had their – already then very high – price level. This fact makes Erich Waske a veritable discovery of classical modernism in Germany. The predominant expressive quality of the work of Erich Waske lies in his sovereign handling of the color, which earned him the nickname “Symphonist of Colours”. The works of the – largely lost – early work are characterized by a gestural ductus; Over time, the color palette is reduced but more powerful, flat and richer in contrast. With a palette of mostly two or three colors – often violet, orange and blue – a maximum effect is attained that actually gives one an impression of a musical quality in the sense of harmony, rhythm and tension. His landscape paintings are never about topographical depiction, but about energetic exaggeration and visionary symbolism. It is impressive how with such easy methods Erich Waske captures color-charged energy on canvas. In sum, paint and composition in Waske’s works create a monumentality that is completely independent of the actual format of the work. Both landscapes and portraits radiate with majestic greatness, from the contemplative intimacy of many of his idealizing portraits of women to the eruptive power of his depictions of volcanos. Waske has actually created a whole series of monumental frescoes and was never defeated by the format of his works. The power of the objects, the power of the depicted persons is also visible in his small-format works through reduction to the essentials and increase in color contrasts. All those features give Waske’s works general validity and high symbolic power. Erich Waske remained true to his style until very old age, but no longer witnessed the later new appreciation for the German Expressionists. It is about time that the artist’s most important works are honored in a large solo exhibition that focuses on a monumental color symphonist and visionary of timeless validity.

Creator:

Erich Waske (1889 - 1979, German)

Dimensions:

Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 31.89 in (81 cm)

Medium:

Oil,Panel

Movement & Style:

Expressionist

Period:

20th Century

Condition:

Gallery Location: