Franz Priking, born Franz Pricking on August 7, 1929, in Mülheim, North Rhine-Westphalia, was a prominent German painter and lithographer whose artistic journey spanned over three decades. Priking's career, which began in 1944, was marked by his transition from figurative art to a more symbolic style. Influenced by the teachings of Max Pechstein, Priking's work evolved through various phases, reflecting his dynamic approach to art. He spent much of his professional life in France, where he continued to develop his distinctive style until his death on June 10, 1979, in Oppède, Vaucluse. Priking's contributions to the art world are remembered for their depth and originality, bridging the gap between traditional and modern artistic expressions.
Artist Biography: Franz Priking
Franz Priking, born Franz Pricking on August 7, 1929, in Mülheim, Rhineland, was a distinguished German painter and lithographer whose career spanned several transformative decades in the art world. Raised by a civil servant father who fostered his early artistic inclinations, Priking's formative years were marked by the tumultuous impact of World War II, which deeply influenced his artistic perspective. His initial foray into Expressionism, a movement suppressed during the Nazi era, became a cornerstone of his artistic identity. Priking's academic journey began in 1948 at the Bauhaus in Weimar, followed by studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin under the mentorship of Max Pechstein, a key figure of the Die Brücke movement. Despite encountering Socialist Realism through Bertolt Brecht, Priking was more captivated by innovative art forms.
In 1950, Priking moved to Paris before settling in the South of France, where he first exhibited his work at the Réattu Museum in Arles in 1951. A pivotal moment in his career came in 1952 when he spent eight months in Vallauris under the guidance of Pablo Picasso, who encouraged him with the foresight, "You will be one of the best painters of your generation." Returning to the Avignon region, Priking continued to refine his style, leading to his first major solo exhibition at Galerie Motte in Geneva in 1955 and subsequent shows across Europe, including Paris, London, Rome, and Tokyo.
Priking’s career flourished with accolades such as the Young Painting Prize in Paris in 1958 and membership in the International Institute of Arts and Letters in Geneva in 1961. He spent the 1960s in Oppède, where he restored a medieval house and developed a distinctive style characterized by symbolic and structural elements. His work in this period, integrating symbols and geometric forms, reflected a shift from pure representation to a more complex and mathematically structured vision.
Tragically, Priking passed away on June 10, 1979, just weeks before a retrospective exhibition at the Château de Val. His artistic legacy is preserved in renowned collections, including the Musée National d'Art Moderne in Paris and the Vatican Museum in Rome. The sale of his works at Paris's Hôtel Drouot in December 2020 highlighted his enduring influence and the deep connection with his patrons, such as Dr. Jean Bigonnet. Priking's contributions continue to be celebrated for their innovative approach, technical mastery, and profound impact on contemporary art.
Brief History of German Expressionism
German Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century as a transformative art movement that prioritized the artist’s emotional and intellectual responses over realistic representation, characterized by simplified forms, vivid colors, and dynamic brushstrokes. Originating during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II, amidst industrialization and the onset of World War I, the movement represented a bold departure from traditional art forms, focusing on subjective experience and inner feelings. Two prominent groups led the movement: Die Brücke, founded in Dresden in 1905 by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and others, which embraced self-expression and included elements of traditional and tribal art; and Der Blaue Reiter, established in Munich in 1911 by Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, which further crystallized the movement’s principles. Both groups were influenced by earlier Romanticism and Sturm und Drang literature, reflecting a deep connection to nature and a rejection of societal norms. As the movement evolved, it incorporated various media beyond painting, including sculpture, architecture, and film, while also impacting literature, music, and theater. The onset of World War I and its aftermath, including the deaths of key figures like Franz Marc, shifted the movement’s focus towards more political and social themes, leading to a darker, more critical perspective in the later years. Despite its relatively brief active period, German Expressionism's legacy endures through its innovative use of color and form, its challenge to conventional artistic norms, and its profound influence on subsequent art and culture.
Prinking_1 by Franz Priking
Franz Priking, Prinking_1. Painting.
The artwork, predominantly bathed in shades of brown, provides a striking view from above, capturing the intricate dynamics of industrial life. At the center of the composition, a crane stands as a focal point, its structure meticulously detailed against the backdrop of pointy-roofed buildings situated at the bottom of the canvas. Above, the painting reveals what seems to be train tracks, suggesting a network of movement and connectivity within the factory's environment. Priking’s choice of a monochromatic brown palette adds a sense of depth and structure, enhancing the industrial theme while maintaining a sense of abstract abstraction. This piece exemplifies Priking's ability to transform everyday scenes into evocative and visually compelling works of art.
Prinking_2 by Franz Priking
Franz Priking, Prinking_1. Painting.
Franz Priking’s painting offers a contemplative view of a road meandering through a forested landscape, embodying elements of outsider art with its stark, evocative portrayal. The composition features two trees in the foreground, standing sentinel over a grey road that stretches diagonally from the bottom right to the top left corner. To the left, a green field contrasts with the muted tones of the road, adding a touch of vitality to the otherwise serene and uninhabited scene. The painting, devoid of any human presence, highlights the road’s intended purpose for human use while emphasizing its isolation and quietude. Priking’s artwork invites viewers to reflect on the intersection of nature and human infrastructure, capturing a moment of tranquil abandonment in a visually compelling manner.
Exhibition History
His early solo shows began with an exhibition at the Galerie de l'Hôtel de l'Europe in Avignon in July-August 1953, followed by a significant presentation at Galerie Motte in Geneva in 1954. He gained further recognition with shows at Galerie Drouant-David in Paris in November 1957 and at Galerie Drouant in December 1959 and 1965. His work was also featured at Galerie Tooth in London in 1958, Galerie de Francony in Nice in June 1959, and Galerie de la Colombe in Vallauris in 1960. Notable solo exhibitions include Musée Galliera in Paris from January to March 1962, Galerie Martin Caille in Paris and Aix-en-Provence in 1962, and Galerie Philippe Ducastel in Avignon in 1965, 1969, and 1970. He exhibited at Galerie Emmanuel David in Paris in 1969, 1970, 1972, and 1974, and at Galerie Isy Brachot in Brussels in 1973. Later shows included Galerie Hélène Trintignan in Montpellier in October-November 1977, Palais du Roi de Rome in Rambouillet in 2000, and Hôtel Atrium in Arles in June-July 2003. His final solo exhibition took place at Château de Val in Lanobre in the summer of 1979. Additionally, Priking participated in group exhibitions such as Jeune peinture internationale at Musée Réattu in Arles in 1952, the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati in January 1959, and various Mediterranean painting shows. He was featured in the Biennale internationale des antiquaires at the Grand Palais in Paris in 1967, the Biennale de Menton in 1970, and the Salon d'automne in Paris in 1972. His work was highlighted in retrospectives and thematic exhibitions, including "L'expressionnisme de l'après-guerre en cinquante tableaux" at Galerie Drouant in March 1982, a retrospective at Galerie Ducastel in Avignon in November 1982, and the 30th-anniversary exhibition at Galerie Martin Caille in Paris in 2004. Later exhibitions included "De Cuno Amiet à Zao Wou-Ki" at Musée d'Art de Pully in 2013 and "Focus sur la peinture méridionale" at Galerie Jean-Claude Réno in Montpellier from December 2013 to January 2014. His work was also showcased internationally, including at the Biennale de São Paulo, Salon Comparaisons, and Salon des peintres témoins de leur temps, underscoring his significant and lasting impact on the global art scene.
Franz Priking's legacy as a distinguished German painter and lithographer is marked by his profound influence on the art world through his extensive and varied body of work. Born in 1929, Priking's artistic evolution, shaped by his experiences and studies across Europe, led him from early Expressionism to a more symbolic and structurally complex style. His career was highlighted by numerous solo exhibitions in prestigious galleries and museums, including Galerie Motte in Geneva and Musée Galliera in Paris, as well as significant group shows at international venues such as the Biennale de São Paulo and the Grand Palais in Paris. Priking's work, characterized by its depth and originality, bridged traditional and modern artistic expressions, reflecting his innovative approach and technical mastery. Despite his untimely death in 1979, his art continues to be celebrated and remains influential, with his contributions enduring in prominent collections and exhibitions around the world.
Selena Mattei
