"From the North Sea to the Itter" | Albert Engstfeld

The artist Albert Engstfeld is known to many Hilden residents. His works are not only in the municipal art collection, but he is also often represented in households. Reason enough to dedicate an exhibition to the artist. “From the North Sea to the Itter - The picturesque life journey of Albert Engstfeld”. The exhibition is dedicated to the work of the painter who was born in Düsseldorf in 1876 and lived in Hilden from 1918 - 1956. After studying at the Düsseldorf Art Academy, Engstfeld regularly visited his student friends in Holland and from 1908 lived in Bruges on the North Sea. During these productive years, numerous depictions of church interiors, bridges and market scenes were created, reflecting the atmosphere of Dutch Zeeland and Belgian Flanders at the beginning of the 20th century. Soon, renowned exhibitions from Bruges to Gdańsk and from Hamburg to Vienna showed his works. After the outbreak of the First World War, Engstfeld returned to his homeland in the Rhineland and for family reasons he moved to the Itter. In Hilden he created numerous works, many of them with a local and regional connection. His paintings and drawings show familiar places in the city and the surrounding Rhineland, some of which are still recognizable today. For the first time, the artist's work can now be seen in a comprehensive retrospective that illuminates his entire oeuvre. In addition to numerous paintings and drawings, the exhibition presents original documents and evidence of his life. These include correspondence, caricatures from colleagues from the academy, photos from the family album and reviews that provide an intimate insight into the artist's life. The exhibition also provides a fascinating overview of the process of creating Engstfeld's works. Examples of props that can be found in his visual worlds are presented. Opening: Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 18:30 p.m. Supporting program: Friday, April 24th, 2024, 15 p.m. & 16 p.m., guided tour Saturday, June 15th, 2024, 15 p.m. & 16 p.m., guided tour The exhibition remains closed on May 1st, May 9th and May 30th, 2024.