Burgruine c. 1943

Karl Wiener made this striking painting, Burgruine, with oil on board. Look at how the red of the ruined castle pops against the blues of the sky! Wiener seems to be working fast, the paint applied with bold strokes. The way he handles the paint has a real physicality; you can see the marks he made, how he layered the colours. Notice that little window, like a tiny portal. It's a glimpse into the past, or maybe into the artist's imagination. The overall composition feels very modern, almost abstract. Wiener reminds me a little of Milton Avery, another painter who wasn't afraid to simplify forms and use color in a really expressive way. This is a piece that celebrates the joy of painting itself. Wiener invites us to see the world with fresh eyes. It’s an image that stays with you, a reminder of the power of art to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.