Ferdinand Gehr

Ferdinand Gehr ( born January 6, 1896 in Niederglatt SG, community Oberuzwil; † 10 July 1996 Altstätten ) was a Swiss painter. He is regarded as the most important religious painter of Switzerland in the 20th century.

Life and work

He became known through his sacred image issues. Gehr was initially controversial, but is now counted among the large, internationally recognized church painters of the 20th century. 1954 demanded Bishop Francis of speaking, that, before the consecration of the church of St. Anthony was hidden in Wettingen Gehr apse painting. This work was initially covered with a curtain and destroyed as a result. And still had 1957 (Canton train ) are covered due to protests from the population to be well-known work in the church Oberwil. Became known Gehr, among other things with his altarpiece in the church of Sankt Gerold Provost ( Large valley, Vorarlberg).

Gehr first worked as a draftsman and embroidery Textilist, then attended the School of Applied Arts and lived as a student painter in Florence and Paris. The remaining years of his life were spent in Altstätten. Especially tied to Gehr felt life Jean Arp, who visited him in the 1950s in Altstaetten.

Gehr's work is characterized by its religious themes, however, are of him also watercolors of flowers, Eros representations, nudes and landscapes become known. In his early creative years, Gehr oriented to Henri Matisse. Later, a reduced to clear forms and labeled with bold color compositions style was typical of him. Both in religious art as well as in his landscapes shows the influence of Paul Cézanne. The painting was religious Gehr for inspiration. Popular are the numerous, colorful woodcuts from which the mystics often be felt. Overall, the work by imposing measures almost seven decades, because Gehr was until a year before his death - that is until his 99th year of life - actively engaged and working as an artist.