Master of the bronze: Arthur Winkler and his legacy in Krefeld

Master of the bronze: Arthur Winkler and his legacy in Krefeld

Arthur Winkler, a forgotten artist from Krefeld, was a dazzling figure of the German sculpture art of the early 20th century. Born on February 17, 1865 in Krefeld, Winkler grew up at a time when the sculptor flourished. Originally a silk clerk, he founded his own silk agency in his hometown at the age of 25. He discovered his talent for modeling, which helped him to have a career as an autodidact in the artistic field.

After his first training, Winkler was made by renowned artisans, especially the tin pin pine pentons from I.P. Kayser son, encouraged. Around 1900 he set up a studio at St.-Anton-Strasse 184, where he created numerous works. As early as 1904, he had a successful exhibition in the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum, which paved the way for further exhibitions in museums in Düsseldorf and Cologne.

Winkler's work and legacy

The best-known works by Arthur Winkler are the Bismarck monument, which was created in 1902 on a private property in Krefeld, as well as the bronze plate in the Deut Temple. The latter was built in 1913 to commemorate Wilhelm Deuss, a patron that gave the city a forest of 35 hectares. Winkler's portrait of the Deuss is shown in Hoch relief inside the temple, which can be found in the Krefeld city forest.

The documentation of his works is sparse. Many of his work, especially most of the works of art he created, are considered to be missing. Mingler wrote contributions to the "Krefeld yearbook Die Heimat" in the 1920s, in which he recorded historical anecdotes and details about his hometown. This series was entitled "chats about alt-Krefeld standards" Lokalklick.eu Region.

Winkler left two essential traces in Krefeld, which still remind of his artistic work: the relief already mentioned by Wilhelm Deuss and the Bismarck monument. Despite his artistic successes, Winkler retired to Hamburg at the age of 63 to live with his daughter. In this last phase of life he only worked for friends and withdrew from the active art company.

late life and inheritance

Richard Arthur Winkler died on July 26, 1944 in Hamburg-Rahlstedt after a long illness. Today, his talent and its importance for Krefeld's art history is often overlooked. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of Winkler's work and his biography.

Although most of his works are now lost, Winkler remains a significant part of the cultural memory of Krefeld's artistic history. It is important to preserve his inheritance and to appreciate the connections to his hometown.