Lot: 277
Albert Birkle
1900 Berlin - 1986 Salzburg
Stadtansicht (Oberschlesien). Um 1927/28.
Oil on canvas.
Signed lower left. 65,7 x 88 cm (25,8 x 34,6 in).

We are grateful to Roswita and Victor Pontzen, Archive Albert Birkle, Salzburg, for the kind support in cataloguing this lot.

PROVENANCE: Neue Münchner Galerie, Dr. Richard Hiepe, Munich.
Galerie Michael Hasenclever, Munich.
Private collection Hesse (since 1977).

In 1927/28 Albert Birkle was invited by the director of mines Dr. Kirschniok to visit Upper Silesia. Birkle was inspired by the bleakness of the scenery to produce a series of views of the industrial landscape, which fascinated him with its moribund beauty. He also worked its enigmatic, magical atmosphere into our picture. “And I really love for that reason [...] the lands of the north abandoned to the joylessness of all weathers in the sad seasons of the year. Every nerve is electrified, as it were, then and, as if by a terrible drug, that half-awake condition is induced that is so very productive for creative work ...” (quoted in: Rudolf Pfefferkorn, Albert Birkle. Leben und Werk, Hamburg 1983, p. 31). [KD].

Colors in good and fresh condition. With few tiny retouchings, mostly in margins. Upper edge mackled.

EUR: 25.000 - 35.000DIFF.(19%)
US$: 34.100 - 47.740