Théo Kerg
Encyclopedia
Théo Kerg was a Luxembourg
painter and sculptor who specialized in modern art
.
, in south-western Luxembourg, Théo Kerg attended school in Esch-sur-Alzette
. He moved to Paris
, France
, in 1929 to study at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts
, the Sorbonne
and the Institut d'art et d'archéologie. From 1932 to 1933, he studied at the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf
, Germany
, under the supervision of Paul Klee
and Oskar Moll. He returned to Luxembourg in 1936 to become an art professor.
In 1943, following the German invasion of Luxembourg in World War II, Théo Kerg resigned from his position. He was however subsequently arrested in 1944 by the Luxembourgian allied militia, and kept in prison for 15 months as a preventive measure. He left Luxembourg in 1946, aiming to settle in Venezuela
, but stopped in Paris where he illustrated a book by Paul Eluard
. He permanently settled in Paris, and spent the last three years of his life in Chissey-en-Morvan
, in Burgundy, where he died in 1993.
he called "tactilism", whereby a work of art would appear differently depending on the lighting
, the atmosphere
and other environmental variables.
In Luxembourg, he is remembered especially for his stained-glass windows at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Cents
(1975).
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
painter and sculptor who specialized in modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
.
Life
Born to schoolmaster in NiederkornNiederkorn
Niederkorn , sometimes spelled Niedercorn, is a town in the commune of Differdange, in south-western Luxembourg. , the town has a population of 3,044.The town lies on the Chiers river , from which it takes its name...
, in south-western Luxembourg, Théo Kerg attended school in Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people...
. He moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, in 1929 to study at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts
École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts
The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts is the distinguished National School of Fine Arts in Paris, France.The École des Beaux-arts is made up of a vast complex of buildings located at 14 rue Bonaparte, between the quai Malaquais and the rue Bonaparte, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Près,...
, the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
and the Institut d'art et d'archéologie. From 1932 to 1933, he studied at the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, under the supervision of Paul Klee
Paul Klee
Paul Klee was born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, and is considered both a German and a Swiss painter. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. He was, as well, a student of orientalism...
and Oskar Moll. He returned to Luxembourg in 1936 to become an art professor.
In 1943, following the German invasion of Luxembourg in World War II, Théo Kerg resigned from his position. He was however subsequently arrested in 1944 by the Luxembourgian allied militia, and kept in prison for 15 months as a preventive measure. He left Luxembourg in 1946, aiming to settle in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, but stopped in Paris where he illustrated a book by Paul Eluard
Paul Éluard
Paul Éluard, born Eugène Émile Paul Grindel , was a French poet who was one of the founders of the surrealist movement.-Biography:...
. He permanently settled in Paris, and spent the last three years of his life in Chissey-en-Morvan
Chissey-en-Morvan
Chissey-en-Morvan is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France.-References:*...
, in Burgundy, where he died in 1993.
Art
Théo Kerg took part in over 300 group exhibitions and over 150 individual exhibitions. He founded a movementArt movement
An art movement is a tendency or style in art with a specific common philosophy or goal, followed by a group of artists during a restricted period of time, or, at least, with the heyday of the movement defined within a number of years...
he called "tactilism", whereby a work of art would appear differently depending on the lighting
Lighting
Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
, the atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
and other environmental variables.
In Luxembourg, he is remembered especially for his stained-glass windows at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Cents
Cents, Luxembourg
Cents is a quarter in eastern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.In 2001, the quarter had a population of 3,228 people .-See also:* Cents-Hamm railway station* Luxembourg-Cents football stadium-References:...
(1975).
Prizes and Recognitions
- 1935 Gold Medal at the World Exhibition, BrusselsBrusselsBrussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
. - 1950 Hallmark Prize, Paris.
- 1951 First Prize at the GenoaGenoaGenoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
Biennale, section Bianco e Nero. - 1953 Noceto Prize, San MarinoSan MarinoSan Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
- 1953 Second Prize at the International Exhibition, ParmaParmaParma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
. - 1955 "Un ami des artistes" Prix at the Grand PalaisGrand PalaisThis article contains material abridged and translated from the French and Spanish Wikipedia.The Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées, commonly known as the Grand Palais , is a large historic site, exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France...
in Paris. - 1956 "Salon de la Marine" 1955-56 in Paris.
- 1957 Gold Medal at the "VI Mostra Nazionale del Disegno e dell Incisione", Reggio EmiliaReggio EmiliaReggio Emilia is an affluent city in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. It has about 170,000 inhabitants and is the main comune of the Province of Reggio Emilia....
. - 1957 French Prize from the Ministère des affaires culturelles, Paris.
- 1958 Mention at the Salon de la Marine, Paris.
- 1958 Prix de la critique belge, Brussels.
- 1968 Silver Medal at the Targa Internazionale "Europa Arte", AnconaAnconaAncona is a city and a seaport in the Marche region, in central Italy, with a population of 101,909 . Ancona is the capital of the province of Ancona and of the region....
. - 1969 Floralies internationales Prize, Paris
- 1971 Gold Medal for glass design, MontrougeMontrougeMontrouge is a commune in the southern Parisian suburbs, located from the center of Paris, France. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe...
. - 1971 Signatures Prize, abstract category, First Prize, Cultural Center of MeudonMeudonMeudon is a municipality in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is in the département of Hauts-de-Seine. It is located from the center of Paris.-Geography:...
. - 1971 Grand Prize at the IVe Biennale azuréenne de peinture et de la sculpture, Cannes.