The Life and Art of Niklaus Pfyffer
Niklaus Pfyffer was a Swiss landscape painter and etcher born in Lucerne. Following his studies at the Realschule, he received instruction from Jakob Josef Zelger before moving to Geneva to study under Alexandre Calame. His artistic journey continued at the Grand Ducal Baden Art School in Karlsruhe under Johann Wilhelm Schirmer, and later in Düsseldorf, where he became acquainted with the Düsseldorf School of landscape painting. After establishing an atelier in his hometown of Lucerne, he spent time in Munich, Basel, and eventually lived in Schloss Buttisholz until his death.
His work often focused on views of Lake Lucerne, characterized by warm tones and sparse figures. These depictions became highly popular among tourists during the rise of Swiss alpinism. Notably, his landscapes were commissioned by Queen Victoria; he produced views of the scenery around Lake Lucerne and later created seven views of the Aix-les-Bains region in 1885.
Selected Works and Exhibitions
Pfyffer’s portfolio includes several notable landscapes, including:
His art has been featured in various international exhibitions, such as the International Art Exhibition in London, the Paris Salon, and the First National Art Exhibition of Switzerland.
