Life and Artistic Evolution
Johann Greferath was a German painter and draftsperson of the Düsseldorf School. Originally a teacher, he attended the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf while working in the teaching profession. He eventually left his teaching career to dedicate himself entirely to painting. His life saw him living in Winterscheid and spending winters in Cologne. In 1920, he was awarded the Ernst-Ludwig-Preis by Darmstadt.
His early career included portrait painting, though he found more satisfaction in other subjects. Notable portraits include those of the Cologne collector Josef Haubrich and the Mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer. His work was influenced by a trip to Holland, where he viewed an exhibition by Rembrandt in Amsterdam, and a journey through Spain in 1923. During the period of National Socialism, he was a member of the Reichskammer der bildenden Künste and participated in various exhibitions, including a 1940 solo exhibition in Cologne.
Works and Subject Matter
Greferath's oeuvre encompasses a variety of subjects, including landscapes, still lifes, and religious motifs. His travels influenced his palette and themes, particularly his time in Spain which inspired temperamentally colored oil paintings. His catalog includes the following works:
During the 1937 "Entartete Kunst" action, several of his works were confiscated from various German museums and galleries, including the Städtische Gemäldegalerie Bochum and the Museum Folkwang Essen, with some pieces being destroyed.
