Hans Feibusch
Encyclopedia
Hans Feibusch was a German painter
and sculptor who lived and worked in Britain for much of his career, having escaped the Third Reich.
Feibusch was born to Jewish parents and studied in Paris
under Andre L'Hote. He was becoming successful as an artist when the Third Reich made his life in Germany impossible. He was one of the artists exhibited in the 1937 Degenerate Art Exhibition (Entartete Kunst) put on by the Nazis to highlight the modernist trends in art they opposed. Feibusch was one of a minority of artists included whose work was relatively conservative, and he was probably included for his Jewish heritage. His works in that exhibition, now lost, were two paintings of angels.
Escaping to England he converted to Christianity
and was befriended by the Anglican Bishop Bell of Chichester
, whose influence caused him to receive the first of his church commissions for murals on religious themes. Among the first of these is the mural in the private Bishop's chapel in the Palace at Chichester. This made use of the medieval wall already existing at the chapel's West end, containing blocked windows. Feibusch depicted people looking out of the windows. Many though not all of his murals are in the Diocese of Chichester.
Feibusch continued to do portraits and easel paintings but it is perhaps for his murals that he is now best known. He wrote a book Mural Painting, published in 1946, and published in a number of journals about mural painting. A celebration of his life work was held by The Twentieth Century Society
in 1993, which was the first event of a reappraisal of his work in the final years of his long life.
Feibusch died four weeks short of his 100th birthday, just after attending a celebration of his work and life held at the Royal College of Art
. His estate bequeathed the entire contents of his studio at the time of his death to the Pallant House Gallery
in Chichester. In the last years of his life he reverted to the faith of his youth and was buried with Jewish liturgy at Golders Green Jewish Cemetery
.
His work was always representational but he developed early on an Expressionist use of colour and intensity of vision that distinguished his work throughout his long career. Feibusch used colour to accentuate intent and meaning. He especially liked orange against pinks and acid yellow against blues. The composition, often of closely grouped figures, are almost neo-classical
in their arrangement and mannered poses. His figures often have an ethereal quality, as though defying gravity.
There are a series of 12 murals by Feibusch, each over 20 feet (6 m) tall, around the central hall of Newport Civic Centre
telling the story of the history of Newport
. The murals were commissioned by Newport Corporation
in 1960 and painted during the period 1961-4.
He worked in a number of Anglican churches in the Diocese of Chichester
, including the Pilgrim's progress at St Elizabeth's Eastbourne, Christ in Majesty
at St Mary's Church, Goring-by-Sea
, the Prodigal Son in All Saints, Iden, and St John Baptising Christ in the baptistery at Chichester Cathedral
. Notable church works outside the Diocese of Chichester are his mural at Christchurch Priory, Dorset, visible the whole length of the church, and in London his immense mural of the Judgement in St Albans Holborn, his largest single work, alongside a set of paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross. He carried out several murals in the village of Portmeiron in Wales as a result of his friendship with Clough Williams-Ellis
, and his portrait of Ellis is held in the National Portrait Gallery.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and sculptor who lived and worked in Britain for much of his career, having escaped the Third Reich.
Feibusch was born to Jewish parents and studied in 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...
under Andre L'Hote. He was becoming successful as an artist when the Third Reich made his life in Germany impossible. He was one of the artists exhibited in the 1937 Degenerate Art Exhibition (Entartete Kunst) put on by the Nazis to highlight the modernist trends in art they opposed. Feibusch was one of a minority of artists included whose work was relatively conservative, and he was probably included for his Jewish heritage. His works in that exhibition, now lost, were two paintings of angels.
Escaping to England he converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and was befriended by the Anglican Bishop Bell of Chichester
Chichester
Chichester is a cathedral city in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, South-East England. It has a long history as a settlement; its Roman past and its subsequent importance in Anglo-Saxon times are only its beginnings...
, whose influence caused him to receive the first of his church commissions for murals on religious themes. Among the first of these is the mural in the private Bishop's chapel in the Palace at Chichester. This made use of the medieval wall already existing at the chapel's West end, containing blocked windows. Feibusch depicted people looking out of the windows. Many though not all of his murals are in the Diocese of Chichester.
Feibusch continued to do portraits and easel paintings but it is perhaps for his murals that he is now best known. He wrote a book Mural Painting, published in 1946, and published in a number of journals about mural painting. A celebration of his life work was held by The Twentieth Century Society
The Twentieth Century Society
The Twentieth Century Society is a British charity which campaigns for the preservation of architectural heritage from 1914 onwards. The society's interests extend to buildings or artefacts, whether important or humble, rare or commonplace, that characterise Twentieth Century Britain.The Sociey was...
in 1993, which was the first event of a reappraisal of his work in the final years of his long life.
Feibusch died four weeks short of his 100th birthday, just after attending a celebration of his work and life held at the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
. His estate bequeathed the entire contents of his studio at the time of his death to the Pallant House Gallery
Pallant House Gallery
Pallant House Gallery is an art gallery in Chichester, West Sussex, England. It houses one of the best collections of 20th century British art in the world....
in Chichester. In the last years of his life he reverted to the faith of his youth and was buried with Jewish liturgy at Golders Green Jewish Cemetery
Golders Green Jewish Cemetery
The Golders Green Jewish Cemetery is a Jewish cemetery in London. It is also known as Hoop Lane Jewish Cemetery. It is maintained by the West London Synagogue.-Location:...
.
Work
:His work was always representational but he developed early on an Expressionist use of colour and intensity of vision that distinguished his work throughout his long career. Feibusch used colour to accentuate intent and meaning. He especially liked orange against pinks and acid yellow against blues. The composition, often of closely grouped figures, are almost neo-classical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
in their arrangement and mannered poses. His figures often have an ethereal quality, as though defying gravity.
There are a series of 12 murals by Feibusch, each over 20 feet (6 m) tall, around the central hall of Newport Civic Centre
Newport Civic Centre
Newport Civic Centre is the seat of government for the city of Newport, South Wales and is a Grade II* Listed building in the Art Deco style. Newport City Council has its main offices located in the building which also includes Magistrates' Courts and a Crown Court complex...
telling the story of the history of Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
. The murals were commissioned by Newport Corporation
Newport City Council
Newport City Council is the governing body for the city of Newport, one of the subdivisions of Wales within the United Kingdom. It consists of 50 councillors, representing the city's 20 wards. Since the 2008 election, the council has been controlled jointly by the Conservatives and Liberal...
in 1960 and painted during the period 1961-4.
He worked in a number of Anglican churches in the Diocese of Chichester
Diocese of Chichester
The Diocese of Chichester is a Church of England diocese based in Chichester, covering Sussex. It was created in 1075 to replace the old Diocese of Selsey, which was based at Selsey Abbey from 681. The cathedral is Chichester Cathedral and the bishop is the Bishop of Chichester...
, including the Pilgrim's progress at St Elizabeth's Eastbourne, Christ in Majesty
Christ in Majesty
Christ in Majesty, or Christ in Glory, in Latin Majestas Domini, is the Western Christian image of Christ seated on a throne as ruler of the world, always seen frontally in the centre of the composition, and often flanked by other sacred figures, whose membership changes over time and according to...
at St Mary's Church, Goring-by-Sea
St Mary's Church, Goring-by-Sea
St Mary's Church is an Anglican church in the Goring-by-Sea area of the Borough of Worthing, one of seven local government districts in the English county of West Sussex...
, the Prodigal Son in All Saints, Iden, and St John Baptising Christ in the baptistery at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
. Notable church works outside the Diocese of Chichester are his mural at Christchurch Priory, Dorset, visible the whole length of the church, and in London his immense mural of the Judgement in St Albans Holborn, his largest single work, alongside a set of paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross. He carried out several murals in the village of Portmeiron in Wales as a result of his friendship with Clough Williams-Ellis
Clough Williams-Ellis
Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis, CBE, MC was an English-born Welsh architect known chiefly as creator of the Italianate village of Portmeirion in North Wales.-Origins, education and early career:...
, and his portrait of Ellis is held in the National Portrait Gallery.