Erwin Kettemann

Bavarian Sonnenaufgang

1930

Erwin Kettemann was a landscape painter from Munich. He was a representative of late Impressionism as well as the 19th century Karlsruher Schule. In the style of the Karlsruhe Schule, a close study and observation of nature constituted an essential part of the work. He depicted trees, plants, rocks, stones, waterfalls and streams. He emphasized the details of geological formations, and different mountain forms as well as geographical details. Romanticism and the depiction of mood did not play any role, as artworks were not regarded as expressions of the inner world of the artists. The focus is on the landscape north of the Alps; artworks depicting Italy and the ideal or classical models did not belong in this genre. Landscape carried references to geology. Kettemann was a member of the Reichsverband bildender Künstler Deutschlands. Sixteen works of Erwin Kettemann, all mountain sceneries, were displayed in the Great German Art Exhibitions from 1938–44. Huge rock formations and high mountains were shown. It is remarkable that almost all of the GDK-paintings were taken from the point of view from half way up a mountain, or at least from a certain altitude, but not from the valley. It is unknown how far Kettemann, as a representative of the Karlsruhe Schule, went up the mountain to study and observe the scenery. His paintings were sold to Nazi leaders for prices of up to 8,000 Reichsmark. Buyers included Adolf Hitler, Otto Miesnner (Chief of the Presidential Chancellery of the Führer and the Chancellor), the Gauleitung Hessen-Nassau, the Bauleitung München and private companies and -individuals.