Oil on canvas
Germany, 1957
Claus Bergen (1885-1964) - German marine and landscape painter as well as illustrator
Signed lower right, ‘Claus Bergen’
Verso titled ‘Schwerer Kreuzer – Admiral Scheer im Atlantic‘ [Heavy Cruiser - Admiral Scheer in the Atlantic], inscribed with ‘Im Auftrage des Herrn Dr. Müller-Hummel gemalt von Claus Bergen Marinemaler’ [On behalf of Dr. Müller-Hummel painted by Claus Bergen, marine painter] and dated ‘1957’
Dimensions: 66 x 115 cm
Wooden frame: 75.5 x 124 cm
Provenance: Private collection, Germany
Good condition
A characteristic work of the artist who visited the subject of the naval warfare numerous times, especially when he worked as the favorite painter of the Navy; the current highest auction record for a similar oil painting by Claus Bergen is more than €7,000

In his paintings, Claus Bergen (1885-1964) takes up the picturesque tradition of seascapes. Since the outbreak of the First World War, he devoted himself exclusively to marine paintings, becoming the official painter of the war at least since the Battle of Jutland between England and the German Empire in 1916. Bergen remained true to this subject in the postwar period. With its predominantly blues and grays, the present composition is characterized by a realistic conception of the image and a cool light effect.

Condition:

The painting is overall in good condition, showing two tiny holes to the upper edge, fine craquelure, a slight discoloration in part and minor stains The frame is somewhat worn. The size of the painting is 66 x 115 cm, and the frame measures 75.5 x 124 cm.

Claus Bergen (1885-1964)

Claus Bergen studied at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts under the guidance of Carl von Marr. He went on study trips to England and in the United States. Bergen worked as a war painter of the High Seas Fleet and was honored with several awards for his work. His circa 450 illustrations for Karl May's ‘Illustrierte Reiseerzählungen’ (Ilustrated Travel Stories) are less known. The German Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven paid tribute to his life work with a retrospective held in 1982. (cko)

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