Ludwig Klimek was a Polish painter, graphic artist, and illustrator who became a prominent figure in the post-war French art scene. Born in Skoczów, Poland, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. However, his life and artistic career were profoundly shaped by his move to France in 1939, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1947.
Lanscape, oil on canvas. Clubbed for 342 GBP at Stockholm Auktionsverk.
A Career Shaped by France and the Riviera
Upon arriving in Paris, Klimek was influenced by his studies at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the studio of André Lhote. He also found inspiration from Old Masters at the Louvre, particularly Poussin, whose "mathematical architecture" fascinated him. In 1947, he moved to the South of France, where the Mediterranean light and landscape became central to his work. Here, he became a key member of the art community, befriending other artists like Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. In 1951, he co-founded the International Biennial of Art in Menton with Henri Matisse.
Style and Notable Works
Klimek's art is known for its lyricism and luminous quality, combining elements of abstraction and figurative painting. He painted a wide variety of subjects, including landscapes, still lifes, and nudes. He had a particular fascination with the sensuality of bathers and mythological figures like naiads and sirens, which he depicted with a generous and expressive use of color and light. His works are often characterized by their composition and balance, with a structure that is both organized and dreamlike. A prolific artist, he is said to have created around 3,000 works in his lifetime, primarily in oil on canvas, but also in watercolor and pastels.
His paintings, such as "Bay of Angels" and "Dans la lumière rose du soir", often portray the warm weather and sensual atmosphere of the French Riviera. He received several honors for his work, including silver medals at the International Biennial of Art of Menton in the 1950s. Klimek's art is held in private collections and has been featured in numerous auctions, confirming his lasting legacy.