Ansgar Dreher

Ansgar Dreher OSB (born November 18, 1912 in Vilsingen as Leo Dreher; † April 23, 1990 in Beuron ) was a German Benedictine monk and artist.

Childhood and adolescence

Leo Dreher was born on November 18, 1912 in Vilsingen as the youngest of six children. His parents were the master bricklayer Leo Dreher senior. and his wife Balbina, née Kleiner. From a young age, Leo had to help out on his parents' farm. The father managed this in addition to practicing his mason trade. From 1918 to 1925 he attended elementary school in Vilsingen. Then he visits the Archbishop's Convict St. Fidelis in Sigmaringen . Here he is a classmate of the later theologian Anton Vögtle , who also comes from Vilsingen. After graduating from school in 1932, Leo Dreher initially worked in his parents' company for a year.

Monk and artist

In September 1933 he entered the Benedictine Archabbey of St. Martin in Beuron. In the same year he made his temporary profession , which he solemnly renewed after three years. From 1934 to 1936 he studied philosophy in Maria Laach and from 1936 to 1940 theology in Beuron. On 30 July 1939 he received by Archbishop Conrad Grober the priesthood . Father Ansgar Dreher was already drawing and modeling while studying theology. His advocate, Father Otmar Merkle OSB , campaigned for him to be allowed to move to Munich for further training . From 1940 he worked there in the studio of the sculptor Karl Rieber. In addition, he was a guest student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich with Mayershofer.

In autumn 1946 he returned to Beuron and was given his own studio. There he pursued his art for 44 years.

In 1974 his home community Vilsingen granted him honorary citizenship . Ansgar Dreher died on April 23, 1990 in the St. Martin monastery in Beuron .

Works of art

Many works of art by Father Ansgar Dreher can still be seen in Vilsingen today. So is z. B. in the church of St. John and Paulus an Easter candlestick , which was designed by him. But his art is also known nationwide. Its versatility is evident in the choice of materials, but also the motifs and designs. In addition to sculptural work, which was his main activity, there are also various graphic works.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Hubert Krins (ed.): Monk and artist - Father Ansgar Dreher OSB: work and memory. In: Local series of publications from the district of Sigmaringen. Vol. 10, Beuroner Kunstverlag, Beuron 2006.