Arno Lemke, Waxenstein and Alpspitze, 1950s, Oil on Canvas

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Arno Lemke – Waxenstein and Alpspitze
Technical information:
Period: mid-20th century
Artist: Arno Lemke
Origin: Bavarian Alps
Technique: oil on … Read more Arno Lemke – Waxenstein and Alpspitze
Technical information:
Period: mid-20th century
Artist: Arno Lemke
Origin: Bavarian Alps
Technique: oil on canvas

Height: 60 cm
Width: 90 cm

:
The painting by Arno Lemke depicts an alpine view of the Waxenstein massif with the Alpspitze, captured in a broad, atmospheric light that effectively conveys the severe majesty of the Bavarian Alps.
The work is executed in oil on canvas, with a richly textured and vibrant pictorial surface, particularly evident in the rocky formations and snow-covered areas. Lemke employs a dense brushwork, at times using a palette knife, building the mountain walls through layered applications of warm ochres, pinkish browns, and cool greys, creating a striking contrast with the remaining snow in the gullies and along the ridges.
Waxenstein dominates the composition with its steep, imposing profile, while the Alpspitze, more articulated and jagged, rises in the background with a rhythm of peaks and spurs that guide the viewer’s eye upward. The sky, expansive and luminous, is treated with blue and pearly-grey glazes, animated by soft clouds that add depth and a sense of openness to the scene.
In the foreground, a green clearing crossed by a path introduces a narrative and human element, balancing the vertical power of the mountains. The green tones, dense and layered, are enlivened by lighter touches that suggest the slanting light of early morning or late afternoon. Groups of conifers, rendered with synthesis yet clearly characterized, act as a visual link between the alpine landscape and the observer.

Arno Lemke was a German painter active during the 20th century, known primarily for his production of alpine and mountain landscapes inspired by the regions of Bavaria and Tyrol. His training is rooted in the Mitteleuropean pictorial tradition, in which direct observation of nature and study from life form the foundation of artistic language.
Throughout his career, Lemke devoted himself almost exclusively to landscape painting, favoring high-mountain subjects: rocky massifs, snow-capped peaks, alpine valleys, and wooded views. In his work, the mountain is never a mere backdrop, but the absolute protagonist, interpreted as a living, changing organism, shaped by light and atmospheric conditions.
His stylistic signature is distinguished by an energetic, material brushwork, often executed with a palette knife, which lends solidity and physical presence to rocky surfaces. At the same time, Lemke demonstrates a particular chromatic sensitivity in his treatment of skies and distant planes, resolved through light glazes and atmospheric tones capable of expanding spatial depth.
The works of Arno Lemke enjoyed good circulation on the European art market, especially in Germany and in alpine regions, where they were well received by collectors tied to the landscape tradition. Even today, his paintings are appreciated for their balance between naturalistic fidelity and painterly interpretation, qualities that make his alpine views recognizable and of strong decorative impact. See less