Kubin, Alfred#

b. Litoměřice, Czech Republic (then Leitmeritz), April 10, 1877, d. Zwickledt (municipality of Wernstein am Inn, Upper Austria), Aug. 20, 1959, painter, graphic artist and writer. Studied 1898-1901 at the Schmitt-Reutte Art School and at the Munich Academy. In 1906 purchased the small castle of Zwickledt, where he lived in seclusion until his death. A renowned exponent of Expressionism, created mainly pen-and-ink drawings (partly coloured) and lithographs characterized by a sombre, ghostly and symbolic language (numerous folios). Like O. Kokoschka and A. P. Guetersloh was both a talented artist and writer (novel "The other side", 1909); his illustrations of literary works (E. A. Poe, E. T. A. Hoffmann, F. Dostoyevsky, etc.) are considered manifestations of this double talent. In 1912 joined the "Blaue Reiter" group. Awarded the Grand Austrian State Prize in 1951 and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art in 1957.

Further literary works: Der Guckkasten, 1925; Vom Schreibtisch eines Zeichners, 1939; Abenteuer einer Zeichenfeder, 1941; Nuechterne Balladen, 1949; Abendrot, 1950; Phantasien im Boehmerwald, 1951; Daemonen und Nachtgesichte, 1959 (autobiography).

Literature#