In the beginnings of his artistic career, Peter Keil's style was influenced by German Expressionism. In the paintings from his early Berlin years, he mainly focused on typical big city settings and characters on the fringes of society. However, his style changed visibly at the beginning of the 60s when he lived in Paris for a while and emerged in the city's nightlife.
Keil increasingly parted with his realistic approach and developed a new, much more spontaneous and dynamic painting style which he developed further during his years in London and finally during his time as one of the "Berliner Neue Wilden" at the beginning of the 80s. Since then, the use of intensive to lurid colors and the absence of realistic representation have become characteristic of his painting style.
In Keil's paintings, the color is applied with quick brushstrokes and occasionally with impasto techniques and the images are additionally abstracted by the use of graffiti elements. He prefers to paint human figures, portraits, big city scenes, landscapes and still-life images of flowers. His emotional way of painting is mainly driven by a desire for freedom from social constraints and conventions. In the past 50 years, Keil has created numerous large- and small-scale paintings in oil and mixed media on canvas but also some sculptures in wood and steel and a great number of majolicas.
Find original Peter Keil art on 1stDibs.
Painting by Peter Keil, Acrylic on Hard Board, 1988, Modern Art, Green Color
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Midcentury Art, 1964, Framed, Paper, Signed, Modern Art
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil Mid-Century Modern Art, Black & White Art, Signed, C 1964
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War during the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Orange/Red, Signed, C 1975
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil New Frame with Linen Matting, C 1975, Signed on Paper
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, C 1959, Framed Face with Fashion Lady in the Back Ground
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, "The Lady", Painted in Paris, Black & White, C 1972
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Hand-Painted Acrylic on Board, Pink, Circa 1975
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Pink and Orange Painted on Board, 1972, Modern Art
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Modern, Acrylic on Board, Modern Art, Signed, 1984
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, 1979, Wood Frame, Black & White, Modern Art
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Painted in Paris, 1967, On Paper
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Painted in Paris, On Paper, 1959
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Large Acrylic on Paper, C 1976, Framed in Silver Frame
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, C 1959, The Lion Face", Acrylic on Paper, Framed, C 1959
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil, Modern Art, Acrylic on Board, Pink & Orange, C 1975
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Painting by Peter Keil "the Lady" Black & White, 1987, Acrylic, New Wood Frame
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Painting by Peter Keil, circa 1987. Acrylic on Paper, matted and framed with a black and gold wood frame. The art work is called "The Lady". Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist ...
Acrylic
Abstract Painting in Original Frame
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A fun abstract painting on a merlot background in its original walnut & gilt frame with antique glass. We have not been able to find any information on the artist, but it is signed a...
Walnut
$1,850
H 33.5 in W 29.5 in D 3 in
Sinbad with the Old Man of the Sea on His Back Original Oil Painting
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sinbad with the old man of the sea on his back original illustration oil painting, 19th century. A fine oil illustration from the Tales of the Ar...
Canvas
Signed Oil on Board Painting by Artist Roger Hayward
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This oil on board painting by Roger Hayward, a notable mid-century Californian painter, architect, and inventor, captures the grandeur of a Victorian-style home through a meticulousl...
Wood
Peter Keil Monumental Expressionist Floral Still Life
By Peter Keil
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Peter Keil Monumental Expressionist Floral Still Life Oil on Canvas, Signed "P. Keil" Lower Center Dimensions: 29.5 in. H × 39.5 in. W × 1.75 in. D This vibrant original oil on can...
Canvas
$1,895
H 18 in W 24 in D 1.75 in
Large Peter Keil Expressionist Floral Still Life on Orange Shelf, Signed
By Peter Keil
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Peter Keil Expressionist Floral Still Life on Orange Shelf, Signed Oil Peter Keil floral still life, an original unframed oil painting on canvas depicting two highly stylized ...
Canvas
Antique Framed Impressionist Oil Painting on Board
Located in Houston, TX
Antique framed impressionist oil painting on board. Lovely artist signed antique framed impressionist oil painting on board. This beauty d...
Masonite
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Oil Painting on Wood, Signed, 1976-77
By Daniel Clesse
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-blue, red vintage Mid-Century Modern French abstract oil on wood painting of a color field, painted by Daniel Clesse in good condition. Signed on the lower right. Wear consist...
Wood
Peter Keil Paintings, Unframed, Set of Three
By Peter Keil
Located in Bradenton, FL
Peter Keil Abstract Paintings, Unframed, Set of Three. Keil is known for his vibrant and emotive abstract paintings, often featuring human figures. HIs style is characterized by bold...
Paint
Peter Keil Expressionist Floral Still Life Painting on Yellow Background
By Peter Keil
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Signed floral still life painting by German artist Peter Keil, featuring two highly stylized flowers arranged in a pink vessel against a saturated yellow background. The imaginary fi...
Canvas
Mid-Century Modern Signed Painting of a Menorah
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern Painting of a Menorah. Signed illegibly lower right corner. Nice earth tones to warm up your home. Inscription on rear side of artwork. Unfortunately missing half ...
Canvas, Paint
Vintage Peter Keil Original Painting Abstract Portrait
By Peter Keil
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage original painting by artist Peter Keil, featuring an abstract portrait on board in a green frame. The painting is signed by the artist, making it a unique one-of-a-kind piece...
Acrylic
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Oil Painting on Wood, Signed, 1986
By Daniel Clesse
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-green, purple vintage Mid-Century Modern French abstract oil on wood painting, painted by Daniel Clesse in good condition. Signed on the lower right. Wear consistent with age ...
Wood
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H 27.5 in W 19.5 in D 0.25 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Acrylic On Grey Paper, Germany, Signed, C 1970, No Frame
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin-based painter Otto Nagel...
Acrylic
Sold
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.25 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Acrylic on Board, Red, Blue and Green, Signed, C 1984
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Sold
H 20 in W 16 in D 0.25 in
Painting by Peter Keil, C 1984, Modern Style, Acrylic on Board, Signed, Purple
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Sold
H 26 in W 22.5 in D 1.25 in
Painting by Peter Keil Painted in Palma, Spain, C 1959, Acrylic on News Paper
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
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H 31 in W 29.5 in D 1.5 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Acrylic on News Paper, Painted in Palma, C 1959, Spain
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Sold
H 32 in W 32 in D 0.5 in
Painting by Peter Keil, "the Lady", Fall Colors, Acrylic, Modern, C 1987, Framed
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Sold
H 36 in W 26 in D 2.25 in
Painting by Peter Keil, New Silver Wood Frame with Linen Mating, 1962, Acrylic
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
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H 32 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Painted in Paris, C 1975, Modern
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Sold
H 32 in W 24 in D 1.5 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Midcentury Art, C 1975, Modern Art, Painted in Paris
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also an artistically talented woman, took her son and struggled her way to West Berlin where they settled. This is where Peter Robert Keil grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Berlin-Wedding and where he discovered his interest in painting – particularly in expressionistic artists and in Pablo Picasso's work. From 1954 on, the East Berlin...
Acrylic
Sold
H 26.5 in W 26.5 in D 0.75 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, Painted in Paris on Paper, 1972
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Sold
H 25.5 in W 22 in D 1 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Midcentury Art, "Fashion Show", Acrylic on Paper, C 1959
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic
Sold
H 33 in W 14 in D 1 in
Painting by Peter Keil, Mid-Century Modern Art, 1959, "Fashion Show", Framed
By Peter Keil
Located in New York, NY
Peter Robert Keil was born to an artist blacksmith father whom he lost very early in his childhood during the Second World War. During the end phase of the war, Keil's mother, also a...
Acrylic