Hans Hörnigk (berlin 1878 – 1955 Leipzig) – “white Cliffs”

Hans Hörnigk
Berlin 1878 – 1955 Leipzig
German Painter

'White Cliffs'

Signature: signed lower right, dated 1902 'Hans Horningk Berl 1902'
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: image size 76 x 131 cm

Biography: Hans Hörnigk was a prominent German painter born in Berlin in 1878. Renowned for his vibrant and dynamic compositions, Hörnigk’s work spanned marine scenes, landscapes, urban views, and portraits, capturing the essence of early 20th-century Germany. His artistic journey began in Berlin, where he studied art, later continuing his education in Leipzig, which would become a significant influence on his career.

Hörnigk was best known as a marine painter, dedicating much of his work to capturing the dramatic interplay of light on water. His fascination with the sea was evident in his realistic yet impressionistically influenced approach, where the brushstrokes were lively and the light played a crucial role, creating scenes that felt both real and filled with movement. His use of vibrating colours and dynamic compositions set him apart, adding a sense of life and motion to his work.

Aside from his marine paintings, Hörnigk was also accomplished in depicting landscapes and urban scenes, often focusing on the play of light in different settings. His cityscapes and rural views carried the same energy, with each painting revealing his keen eye for detail and his ability to capture the atmosphere of the moment. The light, whether glistening off a city street or shimmering across a rural meadow, was always central to his work, infusing his paintings with a sense of immediacy and vitality.

Throughout his career, Hörnigk remained dedicated to a style that blended realism with the vibrant, emotive qualities of impressionism.

Hans Hörnigk passed away in Leipzig in 1955, leaving behind a legacy of art that continues to captivate with its dynamic compositions and masterful use of light and colour.