Early Life and Education
Carl Eduard Ferdinand Blechen, a German painter, was born on July 29, 1798, in Cottbus, Germany. His father was a minor tax official from Regensburg. From 1805 to 1815, he attended the Lyceum at the Oberkirche St. Nikolai in Cottbus. Due to financial constraints, Blechen's parents apprenticed him to a banker in Berlin.
Artistic Career
In 1822, Blechen's interest in art led him to the
Berlin Academy of Arts. After a short study trip to Dresden and Saxon Switzerland, he returned to Berlin and obtained a position as a decorator for the Royal Theater on the Alexanderplatz. In 1828, he took a study trip to the Baltic Sea, followed by a trip to Italy, which significantly influenced his artistic style.
Notable Works and Style
Blechen's distinctive style was characteristic of the Romantic ideals of natural beauty. He was one of the first European painters to represent early industrialization in his landscapes. Some notable works include:
Mental Health and Later Life
In 1831, Blechen was appointed Professor of Landscape Painting at the
Berlin Academy of Arts, upon the recommendation of
Karl Friedrich Schinkel. However, his mental health began to deteriorate in 1835, and he eventually became a full member of the Academy. In 1836, he was forced to take a leave of absence due to severe bouts of depression.
Legacy and Museum Collections
Blechen's works can be found in various museum collections, including the
Kunsthalle Bielefeld in Germany, which features an impressive collection of over 7,000 works of art. [https://WahooArt.com/@@/A@D3B4DB](Kunsthalle Bielefeld, Germany: A Haven for Art Lovers)
Important Links:
* [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/AQRABV/$FILE/CarlBlechen.JPG](Carl Blechen's Biography on WahooArt)
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_claims_for_restitution_for_Nazi-looted_art](List of Claims for Restitution for Nazi-Looted Art on Wikipedia)