Gera celebrates Karl Weschke's 100th birthday with an impressive exhibition!

Gera celebrates Karl Weschke's 100th birthday with an impressive exhibition!

A remarkable special exhibition is currently being presented in Gera to mark the 100th birthday of the artist Karl Weschke. The show can be seen in both the Orangery and the Gera City Museum until mid-February 2026. Weschke, der 1925 in Gera-Taubenpreskeln das Licht der Welt erblickte, wird als einer der bedeutendsten deutschen Maler der Nachkriegszeit gefeiert. Seine Bekanntheit erstreckt sich vor allem auf Großbritannien, wo er nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg eine neue Heimat fand, während er in Deutschland oft in den Schatten seiner Zeitgenossen steht, wie MDR reported.

Karl Weschke's work is a homage to English art of the second half of the 20th century. In his pictures he addresses the relationships between humans and nature as well as humans and animals. The exhibition shows a variety of his works - paintings, drawings and graphics, which are supplemented by private loans from several countries. Particularly memorable are the works that are in dark earth colors, before his travels to Egypt had an awakening effect on his art and led to a lighter color palette, such as Straight explained.

An eventful life

Weschke grew up in poor circumstances, his mother was a prostitute, and he described himself as a “Geraer Gossenkind”. He experienced the Nazi era as a member of the Hitler Youth. After a short voluntary service in the Luftwaffe, he was taken prisoner by the British in 1945, a turning point in his life. During this time he discovered painting and attended art history courses in Cambridge, where he met Francis Bacon. After his release from captivity, Weschke initially lived in various countries, including Scotland, Spain and Sweden, until he finally settled in Cornwall and became part of the St. Ives artistic circle, reports MDR.

His connection to nature and the constant observation of the Atlantic shaped his style in which he created sea and nude pictures. In particular, his well-known oil painting “Surf Waves” from 1967 stands out from traditional wave motifs. The women in his life were also often incorporated into his nude paintings. Weschke achieved great fame in London galleries and his works found their place in major museums such as the Tate Gallery and the Hayward Gallery in London, as by Straight highlighted.

A lasting memory

The last years of Weschke's life included being honored by the city of Gera, which awarded him honorary citizenship in 2004. He died in Cornwall in 2005. His art remains an impressive legacy, exploring themes of violence, suffering, loneliness, comfort, love and affection. These aspects are also part of the current exhibition, which provides a deep insight into his philosophy and the moving experiences of his life. A visit is an absolute must not just for art lovers, but for anyone interested in human history, and this is a great opportunity to learn more about an artist who was widely recognized abroad and has yet to be fully appreciated at home.