Arnold Böcklin

Life: 1827-1901

Country: Switzerland

Style(s): Symbolism (1)

Works: Self Portrait With Death  (1872)

           Island of the Dead (1880)

           The Sacred Wood (1882)

           Ruins Against the Sea

Fun Fact: In 1904, Otto Weisert published an art nouveau typeface called “Arnold Böcklin" (3)

           You walk into Böcklin’s house and are stunned by the works covering his walls. Symbolism has always fascinated you. Especially impressive is his Self Portrait with Death, a painting that makes you shudder. You doubt that you could have painted something like that without looking over your shoulder every few minutes to see if death was actually just sitting there looking at you, watching and waiting.

            Böcklin invites you in graciously and is receptive to your story about Chucky. He tells you that he enjoys painting ancient myths using violent color (1) and that he is proud to have greatly influenced Chirico (2). You have trouble sticking to the topic of Chucky, since you are so fascinated with the paintings glaring down at you from his walls. You cannot help yourself, and you ask where he learned to paint like that. He tells you that in 1846 he began his studies at the Düsseldorf academy under his teacher, Schirmer.  Schirmer recognized exceptional promise in him, and sent him to Antwerp and Brussels. There he copied the works of Flemish and Dutch masters (1).

            When you finally bring the subject around to Chucky again, Böcklin tells you that Schirmer should be able to help you with your search.