Emil Axel Krause, also known as Franz Emil Albert Krause, stands as a notable figure in the lineage of landscape and marine painters, bridging the artistic sensibilities of his German heritage with the landscapes of his adopted British home. Born into an artistic family, his life and work offer a fascinating glimpse into the continuation of Romantic and Naturalistic traditions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period of significant artistic evolution across Europe. His dedication to capturing the nuanced beauty of nature, particularly the British countryside and coastlines, secured him a place among the respected, if not always revolutionary, artists of his time.
Early Life and Artistic Foundations
Emil Axel Krause was born in Biesdorf, near Berlin, Germany, in 1871. His artistic path was, in many ways, set from birth, as he was the son of the distinguished German Romantic landscape painter Franz Emil Krause (1836-1900). The elder Krause was a significant influence on his son, not only through direct tutelage but also by instilling a deep appreciation for the natural world and the techniques required to represent it. Franz Emil Krause himself was known for his evocative landscapes of Germany, the Netherlands, and later, Britain, often imbued with a serene, atmospheric quality characteristic of the Romantic tradition.
The Krause family, including Franz, his wife Amelia Johns, and their children, made a pivotal decision to relocate from Germany. They initially moved to Southport, a coastal town in Lancashire, England, around 1881. This move marked a significant shift in young Emil's environment, exposing him to new landscapes and a different cultural milieu. It was in Britain that the family, including Emil, eventually became naturalized British citizens. Later, the family, or at least Emil and his father, settled in Conwy, North Wales. This picturesque region, with its dramatic coastline, castles, and mountainous terrain, would become a rich source of inspiration for both father and son. Emil received his primary art education directly from his father, learning the fundamentals of drawing, composition, and painting, particularly in oils and watercolors.
Artistic Career and Thematic Focus
Following in his father's footsteps, Emil Axel Krause established himself as a painter of landscapes and marine scenes. His body of work predominantly features the diverse scenery of Great Britain. He was particularly drawn to the rugged beauty of Northern England, the tranquil expanses of the Lake District, and the wild, evocative landscapes of Scotland. His time in Conwy, Wales, also deeply influenced his output, with many works capturing the distinctive character of the Welsh coast, including its castles, estuaries, and maritime life.
Krause's paintings often convey a sense of peace and harmony, reflecting a deep connection with the natural environment. He was adept at capturing the interplay of light and shadow, the textures of rock and foliage, and the vastness of the sea and sky. While his father's work was rooted more firmly in German Romanticism, Emil's style, while clearly influenced by this heritage, also shows an engagement with the prevailing naturalistic trends of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras in Britain. He sought to depict nature faithfully, yet his works often retain an atmospheric quality that speaks to the emotional resonance of the landscape. He was known to paint scenes such as the rocky shores near "Schleifverstedt Castle" (possibly a phonetic rendering or a lesser-known site) and the "Lockhart coastline," indicating a preference for dramatic and picturesque locations. The depiction of Kells Bay and the Shielbridge (likely Shiel Bridge) area in Scotland are also noted as subjects he favored, showcasing his interest in the Highland scenery.
Artistic Style and Influences
Emil Axel Krause's artistic style can be characterized as a blend of late Romanticism and Naturalism. From his father, Franz Emil Krause, he inherited a Romantic sensibility that valued the sublime and picturesque qualities of nature. This is evident in his choice of subjects – often dramatic coastlines, serene lakes, and expansive landscapes – and in his attention to atmospheric effects. The influence of German Romantic painters like Caspar David Friedrich or Carl Blechen, who were foundational to his father's generation, can be seen indirectly in Emil's work through this inherited tradition, emphasizing mood and the emotional impact of the landscape.
However, working in Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Emil Krause was also exposed to the strong current of Naturalism. British art of this period saw artists like John Constable and J.M.W. Turner (though earlier, their influence was enduring) pave the way for a more direct and empirical approach to landscape painting. Contemporaneous movements such as the Newlyn School in Cornwall, with artists like Stanhope Forbes and Walter Langley, championed plein air painting and realistic depictions of rural and coastal life. While Krause may not have been directly part of such specific schools, the broader emphasis on capturing the truth of nature, its light, and its specific localities, undoubtedly informed his practice.
His watercolors, in particular, show a sensitivity to the medium, allowing for fluid rendering of skies and water, while his oils often exhibit a more robust and detailed approach to form and texture. He was skilled in depicting the specific character of different regions, from the misty lochs of Scotland to the rugged cliffs of the Welsh coast. His work can be compared to other British landscape painters of the era who, while not always avant-garde, produced accomplished and popular depictions of the British Isles, such as Alfred de Bréanski Sr. or Benjamin Williams Leader, who were known for their detailed and often idyllic views.
Representative Works
While a comprehensive catalogue raisonné of Emil Axel Krause's work might be elusive, his oeuvre is characterized by certain recurring themes and locations. His paintings often carry titles that directly reference the places he depicted, providing a geographical map of his artistic journeys.
Among his notable subjects are:
Coastal Scenes of North Wales: Given his residency in Conwy, many works depict the coastline, castles (like Conwy Castle), and estuaries of this region. These paintings would capture the dramatic interplay of sea, sky, and land, often under varying weather conditions.
Landscapes of the Lake District: This area, beloved by Romantic poets and painters alike, offered Krause ample inspiration with its fells, lakes, and picturesque valleys. His works from this region likely emphasize its serene yet sometimes melancholic beauty.
Scottish Highlands and Coastlines: Krause is known to have painted in Scotland, with specific mention of areas like Shiel Bridge and Kells Bay. These works would feature the rugged mountains, deep lochs, and wild coastlines characteristic of the Scottish landscape. Paintings titled, for example, "Highland Cattle by a Loch" or "A View of [Specific Scottish Location]" would be typical.
Northern England: Beyond the Lake District, other parts of Northern England also featured in his work, showcasing his broad interest in the British landscape.
His marine paintings often focused on coastal views rather than open sea battles or purely maritime subjects, aligning with his landscape artist's eye for composition and atmospheric effect. The titles would often be descriptive, such as "A Rocky Cove, North Wales," "Sunset over the Solway Firth," or "Fishing Boats Returning to Harbour." These works, whether in oil or watercolor, consistently demonstrate his technical skill and his ability to evoke the spirit of the places he painted.
The Krause Family Artistic Legacy
The artistic legacy of the Krause family is primarily carried by Franz Emil Krause and his son, Emil Axel Krause. Franz Emil Krause (1836-1900) was a well-regarded painter in his own right, trained in the German Romantic tradition. His move to Britain and subsequent focus on British landscapes provided a bridge for his son. Franz's works are found in various collections and are appreciated for their meticulous detail and atmospheric depth. He exhibited in Germany and likely in Britain after his move.
Emil Axel, by continuing in the same genre, extended this legacy. While perhaps not achieving the same level of international recognition as some of his more avant-garde contemporaries, he maintained a consistent output of quality landscape and marine paintings that found appreciation among patrons who valued traditional representational art. The father-son dynamic is a common theme in art history, and in the Krauses' case, it represents a direct transmission of skill and sensibility, adapted by the younger generation to new environments and evolving artistic tastes. The continuity of their thematic concerns – the beauty and power of nature – speaks to a shared artistic vision that transcended geographical and generational boundaries.
The Broader Artistic Context: Late 19th and Early 20th Century
Emil Axel Krause worked during a period of immense artistic ferment. The late 19th century saw the dominance of Impressionism in France, with artists like Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro revolutionizing the depiction of light and momentary effect. Post-Impressionism, with figures such as Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, and Paul Cézanne, pushed art in even more subjective and structurally innovative directions. While these continental movements were profoundly influential, their impact in Britain was perhaps more gradually absorbed.
In Britain itself, the Royal Academy tradition, often favoring narrative and highly finished works, still held considerable sway. However, artists like James Abbott McNeill Whistler, with his Tonalist aesthetic, challenged academic norms. The aforementioned Newlyn School and the Glasgow Boys (including James Guthrie and John Lavery) brought a fresh, naturalistic, and often socially aware perspective to British painting, influenced by French realism and plein air practice. Later, figures like Walter Sickert and the Camden Town Group would explore urban themes with a Post-Impressionist sensibility.
Emil Axel Krause's work, therefore, existed within a diverse artistic landscape. His adherence to a more traditional, Romantic-Naturalistic style placed him in a stream of art that continued to appeal to a segment of the public and art market, even as Modernist movements were gaining momentum. He was a contemporary of artists who were pushing boundaries, but his own path was one of refining and perpetuating an established tradition of landscape painting. His focus on the specific beauties of the British Isles resonated with a national pride in the landscape, a theme that had long been central to British art. Other landscape painters in Britain during his active years included Philip Wilson Steer, who moved from a more impressionistic style to a more traditional English landscape approach, and George Clausen, whose work often depicted rural life with a sensitive realism.
Clarifications Regarding Other Individuals Named Krause and Attributed Information
It is important to address some potential confusions that arise from the similarity of names and the dissemination of information, as the provided source material appears to conflate several distinct individuals.
The historical painter Emil Axel Krause (1871-c.1945), the subject of this article, should not be confused with a contemporary German painter named Axel Krause (born 1958). This contemporary Axel Krause is associated with the New Leipzig School and has been involved in political controversies in Germany, particularly concerning his alleged sympathies for the right-wing AfD party and criticisms of Angela Merkel's refugee policies. Reports of an artist named Axel Krause having works removed from an exhibition in Leipzig due to political views refer to this contemporary artist, not the historical Emil Axel Krause who died around 1945.
Similarly, information regarding research into 17th and 18th-century parish records in the Mühlviertel region of Austria, detailing supernatural events, weather phenomena, and socio-economic conditions, is attributed in some sources to an "Axel Krause." It is highly improbable that this refers to the landscape painter Emil Axel Krause. This research is likely the work of a historian or scholar, possibly of a similar name, but distinct from the artist. The details mentioned, such as wolf attacks, high mortality rates, and the presence of soldiers and vagrants, are fascinating historical data but are not connected to Emil Axel Krause's artistic career or biography.
Furthermore, the philosopher Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (1781-1832) is another distinct historical figure whose surname might cause confusion but who has no direct connection to Emil Axel Krause's artistic life, other than sharing a common German surname.
Finally, the Belgian Impressionist painter Emile Claus (1849-1924), a leading figure of Luminism in Belgium, is an entirely separate artist. His style, characterized by vibrant depictions of light and rural life in Flanders, is distinct from the work of Emil Axel Krause. The similarity in the first name "Emil(e)" and the surname "Claus/Krause" can occasionally lead to misattributions if not carefully distinguished.
These distinctions are crucial for maintaining historical accuracy when discussing Emil Axel Krause, the British-German landscape and marine painter. His life and work should be assessed based on verifiable information pertaining to his own artistic output and biography.
Later Life, Death, and Legacy
Emil Axel Krause continued to paint throughout his life, primarily based in Conwy, Wales. This region remained a constant source of inspiration, and his works from this period reflect a mature understanding of its landscapes and seascapes. He passed away in Conwy around 1935 or, according to some sources, as late as 1945. Given his birth in 1871, a death year around 1935 would mean he lived to be approximately 64 years old, while a death year of 1945 would put him at 73 or 74. Art historical records often have such minor discrepancies for artists who were not in the absolute top tier of fame.
Emil Axel Krause's legacy is that of a dedicated and skilled painter who contributed to the rich tradition of British landscape art. While he may not have been an innovator in the mold of the great Modernists, his work possesses a quiet charm and a genuine appreciation for the natural world. His paintings are valued for their technical competence, their faithful yet evocative depictions of specific locales, and their connection to the Romantic and Naturalistic traditions. His art provides a visual record of the British landscape as it was perceived and cherished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works continue to appear in art auctions and are held in private collections, appreciated by those who admire traditional landscape painting. He represents a continuity of artistic practice, carrying forward the skills and sensibilities learned from his father and applying them to the landscapes of his adopted homeland.
Conclusion
Emil Axel Krause was an artist shaped by his heritage, his environment, and the artistic currents of his time. As the son of Franz Emil Krause, he was immersed in the world of art from a young age, inheriting a Romantic sensibility that he skillfully applied to the landscapes and marine views of Great Britain. His move from Germany to England and then Wales provided him with a rich tapestry of subjects, which he captured with diligence and sensitivity in both oil and watercolor.
While working during an era of radical artistic change, Krause remained committed to a largely representational style, finding beauty and meaning in the faithful depiction of nature. His paintings of the Lake District, Scotland, and the Welsh coast stand as a testament to his enduring connection with these places. Though sometimes overshadowed by more revolutionary figures, Emil Axel Krause holds a respectable place among the many talented artists who chronicled the British landscape, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be appreciated for its craftsmanship and its tranquil, evocative power. His life and art underscore the importance of familial influence in artistic development and the enduring appeal of landscape painting.
