Untitled 1930

Werner Peiner painted this untitled scene using traditional oil paints and techniques. The artist's use of oil allows for precise rendering of form and texture, building up layers of glazes to achieve a luminous, almost ethereal quality. The careful blending and attention to detail suggest a deliberate and time-consuming process, rooted in the traditions of academic painting. The artist draws on a rich history of figuration to build a dramatic narrative. Peiner's engagement with these skilled traditions, belonging to the history of fine arts, is not without political valence. It is hard to ignore the echoes of classical idealism with the politics of the time and the historical events surrounding the Second World War. In the end, examining the materials, making, and context of this painting allows us to understand the piece, while challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.