Fritz Halberg-Krauss was predominantly known for his painterly impressionistic landscapes, which often captured the solitary heathland north of Munich. Remarkably, he was self-taught, with inspiration derived from the 19th-century French ‘plein air’ painters, such as Théodore Rousseau (1812-1867) and Jules Dupré (1811-1889). As such, he embraced the spirit of nature, while adopting a relatively loose, more naturalistic approach.

Often cited as the last great bastion of the ‘Munich School’, his atmospheric vistas convey a certain poetry - a rhythmic quality. Clouds build overhead, appearing to move with urgency, amplified by a low horizon line. Cattle bend heavy necks, thirsty by the riverbank. Feathery trees sway as a thunderstorm passes. He connects us with the ever-changing intensity of the dynamic natural world.

Like other local artists, he often gained inspiration from the meadows, pine forests and floodplains of Dachauer Moos. These were a regular haunt, particularly for Academy students, who were captivated by its transient light effects. He exhibited predominantly in Munich at the popular salons.

Exhibited

Kunstsalon Kubach, Württemberg Art Association, Munich, Munich Glass Palace, Maximilianeum, Great German Art Exhibition in the House of German Art Munich, Prien am Chiemsee.

Timeline

1874

Born ‘Friedrich Wilhelm Maximilian Theodor Krauss’ in Stadtprozelten am Main, Germany, to Johann Paul Krauss, a pharmacist, and his wife Maria Auguste (née Dietsch).

1884

Moved to Munich.

1900

Adopted the name “Halberg-Krauss”.

1906

Married Stephanie Schmitt.

1908

Married Ludowika Rosenberger.

1937-1944

Reached his zenith, exhibiting at every major exhibition in Munich.

1951

Died in Prien am Chiemsee, Germany.