The artistic soul of Dorfen: painter Hermann Winter

Created: 04/10/2022, 09:00

By: Michaele Heske

Proud of the exhibition: curator Albrecht Gribl.

© Michaele Heske

Impressive variety: An exhibition in Dorfen's Sparkasse hall shows 100 works by Hermann Winter.

Dorfen

– “Winter in Dorfen” is the name of a collection that has been on display in the Sparkasse hall in Dorfen since Friday.

A double meaning.

Because the wintry landscapes from Dorfen and the Isental are among the most obvious exhibits here.

An oil painting showing the snow-covered Ruprechtsberg and the parish church from afar, with the Obermühle in the foreground – this work by Hermann Winter, who gave the exhibition its name, is familiar to many locals.

For the artist's 100th birthday, the "Working Group Winter 100" brought together exactly 100 selected exhibits by the painter, graphic artist and designer.

Albrecht Gribl was instrumental in curating the exhibition and realized it with Anton Kremser, Anton Empl, Alois Lehrhuber and Franz Wimmer.

The graphic artist and designer Hermann Winter came to Dorfen as a young man in 1950 and stayed in Isenstadt until his death in 1988. He not only lived here, he became a real Dorfener.

Gribl knew the artist personally: "A very quiet person who didn't play the center of attention."

Fascinated: Regina and Anton Haberstetter.

© Michaele Heske

Gribl regrets that he burned all of his diaries before he died.

"He didn't let anyone look into his world of thoughts, not even his widow." What remained for posterity, however, was his comprehensive work.

Gribl estimates the number of Winter's oil paintings at around 1000, plus hundreds of graphics.

His paintings hang in dozens of households in and around Dorfen alone.

Regina and Anton Haberstetter also have a real winter hanging in their living room.

You walk through the exhibition, stop at the showcases and admire the drawings and pastels.

"We are surprised at the wide spectrum covered by the artists," say the two from Dorfen.

Because not only paintings and watercolors can be seen, the exhibition presents an immense variety of painting, drawing and printing techniques.

For example, designs for large-format "art in construction", which can be seen in the original in the middle school in Dorfen - filigree scenes from Hemadlenz and the beer war.

"The older villagers know and love their Hermann Winter," says Gribl, who was able to get many private loans with his colleagues.

But works by the all-rounder can also be seen from museums and collections from further afield.

also read

Brazen thieves in farm shops on the way: the operator defends himself - and describes scenes that are ready for film

"Marriage at First Sight"

Winter moved to the countryside.

"He didn't paint in the studio, but rather sketched his impressions directly on site." That's what makes him so authentic as an artist, explains Gribl.

He stops enthusiastically in front of a watercolor in rich autumn tones, a forest clearing somewhere in the area.

"Admirable, this impressionistic way of painting."

Anton Empl, asked for his favorite picture, immediately points to an oil painting, painted by Steinbach in the Gatterberge, one last wintry rebellion: "That's my favorite." Winter's Gatterberge, which are still hanging in the secretariat today.

"Like a Corinth - I was totally fascinated." In his first year at the grammar school in Dorfen, the teacher and artist met the painter Winter personally at the Kirta exhibition.

Both exhibited Frauenkircherl together in Erding.

"A very great honor for me - me with my large-format, abstract pictures." At that time, Winter was already known throughout the district: "He was just as convincing in depicting the freezing cold in winter landscapes as he was in the shimmering heat of Corsica."

The exhibition

can be seen in the Sparkasse hall until October 16, on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.;

Guided tours on Sundays at 4 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

An 80-page brochure explains the works.