Feel the passion of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach in our art prints.

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Feel the passion of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach in our art prints.

Our art reproductions bring moments of comfort directly into your home.

Discover Artworks Now!
Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Passionate Customer Service
Museum Quality Art Prints
Customization Options Available
Österreichische Kunstmanufaktur Passionate Customer Service
Museum Quality Art Prints
Customization Options Available

Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach

"Kohlrabi apostle," "unworldly crank," "grass-eater": the painter and self-proclaimed prophet Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach was derided with many nicknames in his turn. But as much as many of his contemporaries disapproved of him, his followers adored him. Barefoot and in a white woolen frock, the artist passionately advocated his life reforms, in which he pleaded for more humanity, more moderation and a harmonious coexistence in harmony with nature. Thus he represented theses already in the 19th century, which are today more topical than ever.

The son of a painter, he was born in the mid-19th century in the duchy of Nassau, today known as the small town of Hadamar. He was drawn to the visual arts at a young age, which is why he enrolled as an art student at the Munich Academy. However, he hardly attended classes: an unexpected stroke of fate drastically changed his previous way of life. He fell seriously ill with typhoid fever, suffered several secondary illnesses and was confined to bed for months. Years of illness and weakness marked him until a new movement finally brought relief: a purely vegetarian cure rebuilt him. The turnaround in his life, because from then on he swore off meat and stimulants and loudly propagated vegetarianism. In the age of advancing industrialization and urbanization, he turned to a more nature-oriented life and became an active advocate of sunbathing and free body culture. He no longer wanted to be constricted by social conventions and state constraints; instead, he created his own ideals, on the basis of which he founded a commune.

The reformist model of life shaped the artistic work of the cultural rebel - but also contributed significantly to the failure of his career. Although the artist personality was well known, public interest was largely limited to his person than his painterly products. Nevertheless, he was not discouraged and expressed his thoughts and views in over a hundred paintings. With the help of his student Fidus, he finally created his artistic monument: "Per aspera ad astra". The name of the 68-meter-long silhouette frieze comes from an ancient phrase that means "through the rough you reach the stars. The highly poetic and best-known work of the painter of strong character consists of 34 partial paintings, all of which show silhouettes. Minimalist, it is reduced to the colors black and white, but with its choice of motifs expresses the closeness to nature and joie de vivre of the painter: united, children and their animal companions pass by, making music detachedly on pipes, timpani and trumpets. The painting thus skillfully captures the essence of Diefenbach's self-reformation. At the age of 62, the visionary sun worshipper finally died at his estate on the Mediterranean island of Capri. A friend later described his passing as "sudden" and "violent as a storm." Thus Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, famous for his stormy lifestyle, met an equally stormy death. His theories, however, are still relevant today.

Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach

"Kohlrabi apostle," "unworldly crank," "grass-eater": the painter and self-proclaimed prophet Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach was derided with many nicknames in his turn. But as much as many of his contemporaries disapproved of him, his followers adored him. Barefoot and in a white woolen frock, the artist passionately advocated his life reforms, in which he pleaded for more humanity, more moderation and a harmonious coexistence in harmony with nature. Thus he represented theses already in the 19th century, which are today more topical than ever.

The son of a painter, he was born in the mid-19th century in the duchy of Nassau, today known as the small town of Hadamar. He was drawn to the visual arts at a young age, which is why he enrolled as an art student at the Munich Academy. However, he hardly attended classes: an unexpected stroke of fate drastically changed his previous way of life. He fell seriously ill with typhoid fever, suffered several secondary illnesses and was confined to bed for months. Years of illness and weakness marked him until a new movement finally brought relief: a purely vegetarian cure rebuilt him. The turnaround in his life, because from then on he swore off meat and stimulants and loudly propagated vegetarianism. In the age of advancing industrialization and urbanization, he turned to a more nature-oriented life and became an active advocate of sunbathing and free body culture. He no longer wanted to be constricted by social conventions and state constraints; instead, he created his own ideals, on the basis of which he founded a commune.

The reformist model of life shaped the artistic work of the cultural rebel - but also contributed significantly to the failure of his career. Although the artist personality was well known, public interest was largely limited to his person than his painterly products. Nevertheless, he was not discouraged and expressed his thoughts and views in over a hundred paintings. With the help of his student Fidus, he finally created his artistic monument: "Per aspera ad astra". The name of the 68-meter-long silhouette frieze comes from an ancient phrase that means "through the rough you reach the stars. The highly poetic and best-known work of the painter of strong character consists of 34 partial paintings, all of which show silhouettes. Minimalist, it is reduced to the colors black and white, but with its choice of motifs expresses the closeness to nature and joie de vivre of the painter: united, children and their animal companions pass by, making music detachedly on pipes, timpani and trumpets. The painting thus skillfully captures the essence of Diefenbach's self-reformation. At the age of 62, the visionary sun worshipper finally died at his estate on the Mediterranean island of Capri. A friend later described his passing as "sudden" and "violent as a storm." Thus Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, famous for his stormy lifestyle, met an equally stormy death. His theories, however, are still relevant today.





The most popular works of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach

These artworks are particularly popular with our customers.

Illustration for Per Aspera ad A...
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The fairy dance, 1895.
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The most popular works of Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach

These artworks are particularly popular with our customers.


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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Per Aspera ad A...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach Selbstpo...
1912 | Unknown

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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Toteninsel
1905 | oil on canvas

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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Question to the Stars, 1895.
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Sphinx with Undine, 1902.
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Martyr and crucified, son Helios...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Self-portrait as Christ, by Dief...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Portrait of the composer Richard...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Self-Portrait, c. 1912.
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Sterbender Hirsch
1913 | oil on canvas

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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Youth playing a musical instrument
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
""Portrait du compositeur allema...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Portrait of the composer Richard...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Per Aspera ad A...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
Illustration for Gottliche Jugen...
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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Frequently Asked Questions about Meisterdrucke


Personalizing your art print at Meisterdrucke is a simple and intuitive process that allows you to design an artwork exactly to your specifications: Choose a frame, determine the image size, decide on a printing medium, and add suitable glazing or a stretcher frame. We also offer customization options such as mats, fillets, and spacers. Our customer service is available to help you design your perfect artwork.

At Meisterdrucke, you have the fascinating option to visualize the artwork you configured directly in your own space. For a tailored preview, simply upload a photo of your room and let the artwork appear on it. If you visit us via a mobile device, be it a phone or tablet, our augmented reality feature brings the image to life and seamlessly projects it into your space. An experience that uniquely combines art and technology.

Choosing the medium is often a matter of personal taste. To give you a clearer idea, we have provided some images for each medium. For a holistic experience, we also offer you a sample set of all paper variants so you can make a decision not just visually but also haptically. You can take advantage of the sample set free of charge – only the shipping costs will apply. You can order the sample set directly.

Do not worry. At Meisterdrucke, we do not proceed mechanically. We manually review each order. If there are any inconsistencies or peculiarities in the configuration, we will immediately contact you. Of course, our courteous and patient support is always at your side to assist you with the configuration. Together with you, we adjust your image by phone or email so that the final result exactly meets your expectations.


Do you have any questions?

Are you interested in an art print from our manufactory but still unsure? Do you need advice on choosing the medium or help with the order?

Our experts are happy to assist you.

+43 4257 29415
support@meisterdrucke.com
Mo-Do: 7:00 - 16:00 | Fr: 7:00 - 13:00

Do you have any questions?

Are you interested in an art print from our manufactory but still unsure? Do you need advice on choosing the medium or help with the order?

Our experts are happy to assist you.

+43 4257 29415
support@meisterdrucke.com
Mo-Do: 7:00 - 16:00 | Fr: 7:00 - 13:00


Meisterdrucke

   Kärntner Strasse 46
        9586 Finkenstein am Faaker See
        Austria
        +43 4257 29415
        support@meisterdrucke.com
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