The Artistic Evolution of Robert Keil
Robert Keil was an Austrian painter, sculptor, and graphic artist. His artistic journey began with instruction at the Benedictine monastery of Beuron under Willibrord Jan Verkade. Following his studies in art history and philosophy in Vienna, Keil spent significant time in Italy, living on the island of Ischia and working as a guide in Rome and Naples. His later travels to Paris, Cologne, and Essen were instrumental to his development.
His painterly work is characterized by three distinct phases. Until the mid-1950s, he practiced an abstracting realism with expressive color. This transitioned into an expressionist phase of pure abstraction, eventually evolving into a flat, planar style of painting by the mid-1970s. Beyond painting, Keil produced approximately 2,500 drawings, which he described as exercises in engaging with the works of predecessors such as Rembrandt, Tintoretto, and Maulbertsch.
Diverse Mediums and Exhibitions
Keil's versatility extended into various disciplines, including printmaking and ceramics. From the early 1960s, he created approximately 300 linocuts that utilized a clear, abstract language. In the mid-1970s, he produced about 50 large-format mosaic panels for residential complexes and private developers in Vienna. Later in life, starting in 1977, he began decorating approximately 280 ceramic plates and tiles with lyrical-abstract forms.
His career was marked by several significant exhibitions, including:
Questions & Answers
How did Robert Keil's art evolve over time?
The Chronicle of Robert Keil is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.
Can I browse Robert Keil's works by color palette?
To find works by Robert Keil in a specific palette, use the artist's By Palettes page.
Is there an overview of all the subjects Robert Keil painted?
Robert Keil's works can be explored by subject on the artist's Subject Atlas page.
In which historical period did Robert Keil work?
Robert Keil worked in the Modern period. The period situates the artist's activity in history.
