Goetheanum | Hermann Linde: a Painter – Two Worlds

About the job

Hermann Linde: a Painter – Two Worlds

Hermann Linde (1862–1923) was regarded at the end of the 19th century as one of the outstanding Oriental painters of his time. In 1915, Rudolf Steiner commissioned him to lead the pictorial decoration of the large dome in the First Goetheanum. Now, for the first time, works from both creative periods will be shown in two exhibitions.

After his studies at the art academies in Dresden and Weimar (1882 to 1889), Hermann Linde undertook extensive study trips to Italy, Tunisia, and Egypt and spent several years painting in India. Back in Germany, he joined the artists' colony in Dachau, which at times also included Carl Spitzweg, Lovis Corinth, Emil Nolde, Franz Marc, and Max Liebermann.

For Hermann Linde, it was a world shaped by naturalistic and impressionistic influences. This was expressed in landscapes and cityscapes, genre paintings, and portraits. For his large-format, four by six metre oil painting "The Langar Procession," he was awarded the gold medal by the Viceroy of India; for his work "Arab Cobbler in Cairo," he received the silver medal at an exhibition in London’s Crystal Palace.

"It is quite accurate to say that Hermann Linde’s life played out in two worlds," says Christiane Haid, head of the Sections for Visual Arts and Fine Sciences at the Goetheanum. Because after the turn of the century, a new world opened up to the artist through close collaboration with Rudolf Steiner. Now it was about the elemental, about the elements, about light and colour. Thus, he designed the stage sets for the premiere of Rudolf Steiner’s mystery dramas in Munich and led the painting work in the large dome of the First Goetheanum in Dornach. With his studies and paintings on Goethe’s "Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily," Hermann Linde has imprinted himself on the memory of his surroundings.

Exhibition 1 Hermann Linde. A Painter – Two Worlds. 1863–1923, 24 June to 10 September 2023, Goetheanum. With catalogue.

Opening 24 June, 4 pm, Goetheanum Art Gallery

Exhibition 2 The High Art of Portrait Painting, Hermann Linde and other artists, 24 June to 10 September 2023, KunstSchauDepot of the Trigon Foundation, Juraweg 2-6, Dornach, Switzerland Registration / Visiting hours Walter Kugler, Tel. +41 79 542 99 85, John C. Ermel, Tel. +41 79 321 30 38

Opening 23 June 2023, 5 pm

Image, Language and Sound Fabric Hermann Linde on the 100th anniversary of his death, 11 July 2023, 11 am, Goetheanum Art Gallery

Cover image Bedouin Girl (Photo: Oling Collection, Arlesheim, Switzerland)