Erwin Bowien

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Erwin Johannes Bowien (born September 3, 1899 in Mülheim an der Ruhr , † December 3, 1972 in Weil am Rhein ) was a German painter, author and poet .

biography

Erwin Bowien was born as the son of the civil engineer and later commercial director of the Rhine port in Weil am Rhein, Erich Bowien and his wife Anna-Maria, née Neufeldt from Elbing in East Prussia . He grew up in Berlin-Charlottenburg and later in Neuchâtel in Switzerland . Bowien became friends with Eric Thiébaud, who made it possible for him to re-enter Switzerland in 1948 after the Second World War .

Bowien received his first art education at the arts and crafts school in Neuchâtel with William Racine . The Swiss chocolate manufacturer Carl Russ-Suchard promoted the young Bowien and acquired numerous pictures from him.

As a German citizen, Bowien was drafted on his 18th birthday and had to take part in the First World War as an interpreter in a bugging unit in 1917/1918 . During this time he created, among other things, drawings and watercolors from the front in the Argonne Forest . He was demobilized in Hanover in 1919.

After the war, Bowien first attended evening classes at the Hanover School of Applied Arts . After studying 1920–1921 at the State Art Academy in Munich with Professor Robert Engels , in 1922 he studied at the Dresden Art Academy with Professor Richard Müller and then trained as a drawing teacher at the State Art School Berlin-Schöneberg with Philipp Franck with art history lessons with Oskar Fischel . Bowien passed his exams as a craftsman in 1923 in Düsseldorf ; In the following years he went on painting trips to Kassel , Aachen , Hamburg , Lübeck , Karlsruhe , Freiburg im Breisgau , Basel , Königsberg and Hildesheim , and later to Prague and Vienna (1928) and Northern Italy (1929).

Bowien initially worked as a teacher at the Realgymnasium in Hechingen in the Hohenzollernsche Landen , then from 1925 to 1932 in Solingen as an art teacher at the Schwertstrasse grammar school , where the future Federal President Walter Scheel was one of his students. During these years he gave over 100 lectures on art history topics at the local adult education center . In addition, he was asked to all operations in the Solinger Zwillingswerk hold drawings. Due to Brüning's emergency ordinances , he had to leave school. At that time he regularly visited Erna and Hanns Heinen's artist and literary salon, which resulted in a lifelong friendship with the family. The daughter of the Heinen family, Bettina Heinen-Ayech (* 1937), became his most important painting student.

From 1932 to 1942 Bowien lived as a freelance artist in Egmond aan den Hoef , North Holland , in the former house of the philosopher René Descartes . After his release as a teacher, he initially only traveled to Amsterdam to visit a Rembrandt exhibition there, but then stayed in the Netherlands. His most important painting student there was Dirk Oudes . In 1934, Bowien undertook a major North Africa trip to Libya , Tunisia , Algeria and Morocco , accompanied by a timber wholesaler who financed the trip and then received half of the works. Then he suffered longer from the rigors of the journey. In addition to landscapes, Bowien painted numerous portraits and family pictures for wealthy Dutch people. The West Frisian Museum in Hoorn acquired pictures by Bowien, other pictures were donated to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam , the Koninklijk Huisarchiev in The Hague, the Alkmaar Regionaalrchief and the Schoorl parish.

In his autobiography , Bowien only hinted that the " seizure of power " by the National Socialists was the reason why he did not return to Germany - politics caused him "new torments" every day. “So the pictures I created at the time got something of a scream. The sea couldn't be wild enough for me, the clouds couldn't be dark enough. ”After the occupation of the Netherlands by the German Wehrmacht , he was imprisoned in Alkmaar for three days . Since he could not earn any more money because of the political situation, he returned to Germany with a heavy heart. He left 35 of his works in the care of an art dealer in The Hague, after which they have remained missing. He first moved to the Heinen family in Solingen for half a year, where he created a series of cityscapes in watercolors in the winter of 1942 , the last cycle of paintings of the city before its destruction in November 1944.

Bowien's next stop was Augsburg . Since there were neither frames nor canvas to buy because of the Second World War , Bowien had the idea of buying the Führer portraits and official Nazi propaganda pictures that were offered everywhere and painting them over with views of Augsburg after a new primer . The pictures sold well, but he was betrayed to the Gestapo, which in 1943 confiscated his pictures in Augsburg at the instigation of the Reich Chamber of Culture ; over 30 pictures of Bowien were destroyed by war. Without valid papers, especially without a military ID card, he fled to Kreuzthal-Eisenbach in the Allgäu (today a district of Isny ). It was there that he wrote his war memoir Les heures perdus du Matin (“The Lost Hours of the Morning”), and he helped hide an escaped French prisoner of war.

After the end of the war, Erwin Bowien returned to Solingen, where he lived from 1950, alternating with his home town of Weil am Rhein. He also undertook other painting trips, within Germany, to Switzerland , to southern Sweden , Norway (there also acquisition of the hut "Bettina-Bo" on the island of Alsten), Paris , Algeria (visiting Bettina Heinen-Ayech ), Finland , southern France . On July 28, 1970, he married Inken Strohmeyer, née Vogt. Erwin Bowien died on December 3, 1972 in Weil am Rhein, where he was also buried. His grave was preserved as a grave of honor for the city of Weil am Rhein. Paintings by the artist were acquired by the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Culture, the North Friesland Museum (Nissenhaus) in Husum, the Dreiländermuseum (formerly Museum am Burghof) in Lörrach, the District Home Museum Springe and the municipal art collections of Hannoversch Münden , Solingen and Weil am Rhein.

On October 20, 1976, the Freundeskreis Erwin Bowien eV was founded in the German Blade Museum in Solingen.

Exhibitions

  • 1917 Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel), Switzerland. Exhibition in the gallery "Rose d´Or".
  • 1927 Solingen , Germany. First exhibition in the hall of the Solingen Casino Society
  • 1928 Solingen, Germany. Second exhibition in the hall of the Solingen Casino Society
  • 1929 Solingen, Germany. Third exhibition in the hall of the Solingen Casino Society.
  • 1933 to 1941 Holland: Exhibitions in Hoorn , Egmond , Gorinchem , Schoorl , The Hague .
  • 1947 to 1959 Solingen, Germany. Participation in the "Bergische art exhibitions" in the German Blade Museum.
  • 1951 Husum , Germany. Exhibition in the Nordfriesland Museum ( Nissenhaus ).
  • 1954 Bern , Switzerland. Exhibition in the gallery "Haus der Innere Enge" (May 2-31). Opening speech by Dr. EM Fallet-Von Kastelberg.
  • 1957 Husum , Germany. Exhibition in the Nordfriesland Museum (Nissenhaus). Purchase by the museum.
  • 1957 Copenhagen , Denmark. Exhibition in the German Club. Opening by the cultural attaché of the German Embassy, ​​Dr. Obermeyer.
  • 1958 Solingen, Germany. Exhibition in the rooms of the "Neue Rheinzeitung".
  • 1958 Hannoversch Münden , Germany. Exhibition in the Welfenschloss on the occasion of the reopening of the local history museum.
  • 1958 Copenhagen, Denmark. Second exhibition in the German Club.
  • 1960 Solingen, Germany. From January 17 to February 28, 1960, on the occasion of Erwin Bowien's 60th birthday, a retrospective took place in the German Blade Museum in Solingen.
  • 1962 Bern, Switzerland. Exhibition in the Schneider Gallery.
  • 1964 Paris , France. Exhibition at the Duncan Gallery (October 2-16)
  • 1965 Au / St. Gallen , Switzerland. Exhibition in the gallery "Zollstrasse" (April 24th-May 2nd).
  • 1967 Weil am Rhein , Germany. Exhibition in the House of National Education (23.9-1.10.9). Several purchases by the Museum am Burghof in Lörrach and the city of Weil am Rhein.
  • 1968 Freiburg im Breisgau , Germany. Exhibition in the town hall (April-May).
  • 1968 Bad Säckingen , Germany. Exhibition in the Trumpeter Castle (1.-22.12), organized by the Kunstverein Hochrhein.
  • 1969 Freiburg im Breisgau , Germany. Retrospective in the town hall on the occasion of the 70th birthday, organized by the Union of Visual Artists.
  • 1970 Solingen, Germany. Exhibition in the German Blade Museum.
  • 1971 Weil am Rhein, Germany. Exhibition in the House of National Education.
  • 1973 Springe / Deister , Germany. Posthumously. Exhibition in the Heimatmuseum (25.8.-30.9.1973)
  • 1974 Weil am Rhein, Germany. Posthumously. Exhibition in the former Bowien house (2.1-14.1.1974).
  • 1974 Rabat , Morocco, posthumous, exhibition at the Goethe-Institut (December 4-14, 1974 ). Opened by the German Ambassador, Dr. Hendus
  • 1975 Weil am Rhein, Germany, posthumously. Exhibition in the House of National Education (May 3-11, 1974).
  • 1975 Solingen, Germany, posthumously. Exhibition in the German Blade Museum (May 15-13, 1975)
  • 1976 Gladbeck (City of Bottrop), Germany, Posthumous. Exhibition in the moated castle Wittringen (14.3.-25.4).
  • 1977 Bern, Switzerland, posthumously. Exhibition in the Galerie d'Art Münster (January 25 to February 15, 1977).
  • 1977 Algiers , Algeria, posthumously. Exhibition in the gallery "Mohamed Racim" (15.11 to 26.11)
  • 1978 Buchschlag Dreieich, Germany, posthumous. Exhibition in the Bürgersaal (6-17 September 1978).
  • 1980 Remscheid , Germany, posthumously. Exhibition in the Remscheid-Hasten Municipal Museum of Local History (6.7.-24.8.1980)
  • 1982 Solingen, Germany, posthumously. German Blade Museum (September 11-26, 1982). Subject: Bergisches Land.
  • 1984 Weil am Rhein, Germany, posthumously. Municipal Gallery Stapflehus (15.3 -8.4.1984)
  • 1984 Solingen, Germany, German Blade Museum (19.08-07.10.1984). Subject: Representation of the Rhine from its sources to its mouth.
  • 1985 Algiers , Algeria, posthumously. Exhibition at the Goethe Institute (November 19 to 30)
  • 1986 Solingen, Germany. Posthumously. Exhibition in the Stadtsparkasse Solingen (16.9 - 16.10). Author: Holland
  • 1986 Weil am Rhein, Germany, posthumously. Sparkasse Markgräfler Land (10.11-2.12).
  • 1988 Weil am Rhein, Germany, posthumously. Sparkasse Markgräfler Land (23.8-16.09). Subject: Dreiländereck
  • 1988 Remscheid, Germany, posthumously. Exhibition in the theater gallery (11.9.-23.10.)
  • 1991 Solingen, Germany, posthumously. Stadtsparkasse Solingen (10.09-04.10) Topic: Images and portraits of the citizens of Solingen.
  • 1996 Solingen, Germany, posthumously. Bergisches Museum, Castle Burg an der Wupper (22.9.-20.10)
  • 1999 Solingen, Germany, posthumously. Museum Baden (3.10-15.11).
  • 1999 Weil am Rhein, Germany, posthumously. Municipal Gallery Stapflehus (November 20 to December 19, 1999).
  • 2006. Solingen, Germany, Posthumous. Exhibition in the Liberal Gallery (26.08-06.10).
  • 2012–2013 Isny , Eisenbach, Germany, posthumous. Exhibition in the Tanne House. Subject: Erwin Bowien in Kreuzthal - Eisenbach.
  • 2013–2014 Weil am Rhein , Germany, posthumous. From October 13, 2013 to July 27, 2014, the museum on Lindenplatz in Weil am Rhein held a retrospective of the painter.
  • 2014. Solingen, Germany, Posthumous. Retrospective at the Kunstmuseum Solingen (August 10-14, 2014).
  • 2015 Georgsmarienhütte , Germany, retrospective at the Museum Villa Stahmer (October 14 - November 15, 2015 ).

Works

  • The beautiful game between spirit and world - my life as a painter. (Autobiography). Published by Bettina Heinen-Ayech and the Freundeskreis Erwin Bowien eV Solingen 1995, ISBN 3-88234-101-7 .
  • Heures Perdues du Matin, Journal d'un Artiste Peintre, Alpes Bavaroises, 1944–1945. Published by Bernard Zimmermann. L'Harmattan publisher, Paris 2000, ISBN 2-7475-0040-3 .

literature

  • Hansjakob Dresia: Erwin Johannes Bowien "An introduction to the painter's work , Solingen, undated.
  • Anonymous: Erwin J. Bowien, Solingen, 60 years catalog for the exhibition of the German Blade Museum in Solingen from January 17 to February 28, 1960.
  • Hans-Karl Pesch: Erwin Bowien . Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech and the Erwin Bowien Circle of Friends. eV 1st edition. Solingen 1981
  • Hans-Karl Pesch: The life, the essence, the work of Erwin Bowien (1899 Mülheim / Ruhr - 1972 Weil am Rhein) Solingen, 1986.
  • A. Dietz: Erwin Bowien, the master with the pastel pencil , in: Das Markgräflerland , 1986, p. 200 ff.
  • Diana Millies: Erwin Bowien, images and portraits of Solingen citizens . Solingen, 1991.
  • Documentation The painter Bowien at the end of the world of Bavarian Radio, broadcast on Sunday, May 6th, 2012
  • Rudi Holzberger: Fascination Adelegg: Vanishing Point in Allgäu - Erwin Bowien in Kreuzthal. Adelegg-Verlag, Eisenbach 2013, ISBN 978-3-00-042789-3 .
  • Bettina Heinen-Ayech (Ed.): Erwin Bowien 1899–1972 Catalog raisonné - Catalog Raisonné-Werkoverzicht. Verlag U-Form, Solingen 1999, ISBN 3-88234-103-3 .
  • Museumskreis eV and Städt. Museum on Lindenplatz in Weil am Rhein (ed.): Between spirit and world. Erwin Bowien , brochure accompanying the exhibition. October 13, 2013 to July 27, 2014. Municipal Museum on Lindenplatz. Because on the Rhine.

Films, radio play

  • 1992 hating Bouabdellah: Bettina Heinen-Ayech - letter to Erwin Bowien . Film, Solingen and Algier, 1992. The French version is entitled Bettina Heinen-Ayech - Lettre à Erwin Bowien . The film was included in the official selection of the Montreal Festival.
  • 2010 Georg Bayerle. The art of memory in the format between Spessart and Karwendel of the BR.
  • 2011 Georg Bayerle. Mountain idyll in the Allgäu - The Kreuzthal as a place of refuge, 1944 , in the format Time for Bavaria . Running time, approx. 53 minutes. First broadcast of the radio play on December 11, 2011.
  • 2015 Rudi Holzberger and Georg Bayerle. Vanishing point in the Allgäu. The art of memory: Erwin Bowien in Kreuzthal . Running time: 53 minutes. Bayerle - Kümpfel - Holzberger Foundation. Film premiere on October 21, 2015 in the Maxim Kino in Munich.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Erwin Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. My painter life. Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech and Freundeskreis Erwin Bowien eV U-Form Verlag, Solingen 1995, ISBN 3-88234-101-7 , p. 24.25 and 72 .
  2. ↑ Erwin Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. My painter life. Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech and Freundeskreis Erwin Bowien eV U-Form Verlag, Solingen 1995, ISBN 3-88234-101-7 , p. 22-23 .
  3. ↑ a b Bettina Heinen-Ayech and Ulrike Friedrichs: Erwin Bowien (1899-1972). Catalog of works - Catalog Raisonné - waiver of works. Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech. U-Form Verlag, Solingen 1999, ISBN 3-88234-103-3 , p. 18 .
  4. ↑ Barbara u. Detlef Rahlf: Erwin Bowien Vita I. In: erwin-bowien.de. October 10, 2008, accessed November 3, 2018 .
  5. ↑ a b c Barbara & Detlef Rahlf, Munich: Erwin Bowien Vita II. In: erwin-bowien.de. October 10, 2008, accessed November 19, 2018 .
  6. ↑ Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. P. 47f.
  7. ↑ Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. P. 52.
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba Bettina Heinen-Ayech and Ulrike Friedrichs: Erwin Bowien (1899-1972) Catalog Raisonné-Werkoverzicht . Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech. 1st edition. U-Form-Verlag Solingen, Solingen 1999, ISBN 3-88234-103-3 , p. 21-26 .
  9. ↑ Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. P. 52f.
  10. ↑ Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. P. 62.
  11. ↑ Bowien: The beautiful game between spirit and world. P. 67.
  12. ^ Barbara & Detlef Rahlf, Munich: Erwin Bowien III. In: erwin-bowien.de. October 10, 2008, accessed November 19, 2018 .
  13. ↑ a b c d e Hans-Karl Pesch: Erwin Bowien . Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech and the Erwin Bowien Circle of Friends. eV 1st edition. Solingen 1981, p. 30 .
  14. ↑ a b c d Dr. Haroun Ayech: Retrospectives. In: Erwin Johannes Bowien (1899-1972). Dr. Haroun Ayech, 2020, accessed on May 1, 2020 (German).
  15. ↑ Michael Tesch: Solingen: A painter between spirit and world. In: rp-online.de. August 20, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2018 .
  16. ↑ Erwin Bowien retrospective presents many pictures that have never been shown. In: Badische Zeitung . Retrieved November 3, 2018 .
  17. ↑ Bettina Heinen-Ayech and Ulrike Friedrichs: Erwin Bowien (1899-1972) Werkverzeichnis-Catalog Raisonné-Werkoverzicht . Ed .: Bettina Heinen-Ayech. 1st edition. U - Form - Verlag Solingen, Solingen 2000, p. 26 .
  18. ^ Hans Hofstätter and Berthold Hänel: The painters of the Markgräflerland . Ed .: District of Lörrach. Schillinger Verlag, Freiburg 2000, p. 78 .
  19. ^ Announcements of the Freundeskreis Erwin Bowien eV from December 2010 ( Memento from March 20, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
  20. ↑ Bayerischer Rundfunk is making a film in Kreuzthal schwaebische.de October 11, 2012.
  21. ↑ a b c d Dr. Haroun Ayech: films, audio. In: Erwin Johannes Bowien (1899-1972). Dr. Haroun Ayech, 2020, accessed on May 1, 2020 (German).
personal data
SURNAME Bowien, Erwin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Bowien, Erwin Johannes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German painter
DATE OF BIRTH September 3, 1899
PLACE OF BIRTH Mülheim an der Ruhr
DATE OF DEATH 3rd December 1972
Place of death Because on the Rhine