As a young artist at the tender age of twenty, Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart boldly declared his preference for the basic forms of lines, circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares over the traditional repertoire of visible reality. From his artistic beginnings in Hanover, he absorbed important influences – the simplicity and elegance of elementary shapes, the brilliant use of pure color from International Constructivism, and the Dutch style of “De Stijl”. His artistic vision transcended traditional painting, aiming to also create designs for architecture, typography, and advertising, ushering in a new era of artistic expression and lifestyle.
By 1924, Vordemberge-Gildewart’s talent had gained national and international recognition. He was given the opportunity to exhibit at the esteemed “Kestner Gesellschaft Hanover” and was invited to join “De Stijl” along with renowned artists Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. He was also a part of “L’Art d’Aujourd’hui” in Paris and “Société Anonyme” in New York, collaborating with other notable colleagues. His residency in “die abstrakten hannover”, “cercle et carré”, and “abstraction-création” solidified his position within the international avant-garde.
Even as German National Socialism gained power and deemed him a “degenerate” artist, Vordemberge-Gildewart remained steadfast and active in the avant-garde movement. He was forced to flee his homeland with his Jewish wife, Ilse Leda, finding refuge in the Netherlands in 1938. In 1950, they were granted Dutch citizenship, a grateful and welcoming new home.
In this new environment, Vordemberge-Gildewart continued to create delicate works of art, employing basic shapes, muted colors, and a sense of harmony and musicality.
The PEN Club of the Netherlands bestowed honors upon his poetic compositions, while the II. Biennale of Sao Paulo acclaimed his prowess. Further elevating his esteemed reputation, he was appointed a faculty member at the “Academie van Beeldende Kunsten” in Rotterdam and the “Hochschule für Gestaltung” in Ulm. These endeavors further solidified the admiration surrounding Vordemberge-Gildewart and his creative endeavors.
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