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 do I find works by Robert Keil in a specific palette?
Robert Keil's works can be browsed by color palette on the artist's By Palettes page.
Can I study Robert Keil's use of color across all works?
Robert Keil's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome 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.
How do I find all works by Robert Keil in a given medium?
To find all works by Robert Keil in a given medium, use the artist's All Medium page.
