A Life in Color and Form
Gerhild Diesner was an Austrian painter born in Innsbruck. Her artistic journey began with drawing lessons in Geneva and continued through studies at the Chelsea Art School and the School of Art in Brighton. Her formal training was furthered at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, where she studied in the department of applied graphics. During the war years, she worked as a hotel secretary and was stationed in Dresden, later returning to Innsbruck to work with traditional costume paintings at the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum.
A pivotal period in her development occurred during her time in France, where she studied under André Lhote in Paris and at the École de la Grande Chaumière. This period was instrumental in shaping her painterly expression. Her career included various exhibitions, such as her first solo show at the Alpbach University Weeks. Throughout her life, she traveled extensively, spending time in England, Portugal, and Italy.
Artistic Legacy and Recognition
Diesner's body of work is characterized by the luminosity of color. Her style was influenced by the color and form compositions of André Lhote, as well as the visions of Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Henri Matisse. She was a significant figure in the painting scene of Tyrol during the 1950s.
Her contributions to the arts were recognized through several honors, including:
Her public works include ceiling paintings of angels in the Seefeld cemetery chapel, sgraffito work in Wörgl, and stained glass and wall murals featuring birds in Innsbruck.
