Friedrich wilhelm kuhnert biography of christopher jackson

Friedrich Wilhelm Kuhnert began his career as apprentice to the Berlin painter and graphic artist Paul Friedrich Meyerheim , who specialised in painting animals, and this provided him with a thorough grounding in closely observed zoological detail. When Kuhnert attended the Berlin University of the Arts between and , the tutors noted his skill in rendering animal fur and anatomy and advised him to devote himself to animal painting.

FRIEDRICH WILHELM KUHNERT (–) A Stern Glance oil on canvas 17 ½ x 22 ¼ inches signed lower right: Wilh.

Kuhnert enthusiastically complied, and sought subject matter in extensive travels through Europe, Africa and Asia. In particular, he made four expeditions through areas of Central Africa which were then still largely unexplored by Europeans. Despite working in difficult conditions, he was able to make studies directly from nature, working quickly to capture the essence of the region's animals in their native habitat, rather than drawing those in captivity, as was the case for most wildlife artists of the period.

In this way Kuhnert can be described as a pioneer of the genre. Contemporary writer and critic J. Millais enthused:. We who have traveled do not need to be told that his studies from nature are correct. His lions, elephants, zebras and antelopes are so real that we feel we are gazing at them on the plains of East Africa. The landscapes are simple but intense.

Sunlight is there, and the tree and grass are just those that grow in the habitat of these species. Kuhnert has, as it were, got inside the very skin of African life, and draws you insensibly within the charmed circle. We will process the personal data you have supplied to communicate with you in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

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