Arnold Balwé

1898 Dresden – 1983 Feldwies/Chiemsee

„Garden in late summer“ Oil on canvas, signed and dated 47

His father being a Dutch consul and his mother coming from Dillingen, Arnold Balwé spent his early youth in Durban on the South African east coast. He began his art studies in 1920 at the Antwerp Academy under Professor Gogo and Opsomer. Afterwards, he visited Italy and Rome for a year. In 1922, he joined the Munich Academy studying there until 1927. He was in Karl Caspar’s class and in his circle met art student Elisabeth Staimmer whom he married in 1927.

Having received a couple of awards during his studies, such as the Alexander von Humboldt Prize, Balwé is considered to be one of the most significant Caspar students. After finishing his studies, the artist continued to live in Munich for a while, but soon settled in Feldwies, Lake Chiemsee, where he transformed a farmhouse into his home and studio. In the 1930s, he was temporarily forbidden to exhibit his work. Balwé was a member of the Munich Secession and co-founder of “Neue Gruppe (New Group)” in 1946. From 1949, he participated in the Art Exhibition at Haus der Kunst in the section of “Neue Gruppe”. In 1930 and 1932, he exhibited his work at Galerie Heinemann, Munich, in 1943 in Mannheim, Freiburg and Cologne, and in 1949 at Städtische Galerie Lenbachhaus, Munich.

Balwé traveled extensively, e.g. to Holland, England, France, Italy and Greece, however preferred to paint Chiemsee subjects. He also depicted portraits, still lifes and flowers. He was particularly dedicated to landscape painting reflecting expressionistic approaches. Balwé chose light bright colors and sharp contrasts between light and dark. His paint application was slightly pastose; the trace of the brush became a stylistic device.