Josef Oberberger

Josef Oberberger was born on December 21, 1905, in Etzenricht, Bavaria, and passed away on December 2, 1994, in Kreuth. He was a German artist known for his work as a painter, graphic artist, illustrator, caricaturist, stained glass artist, and professor at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts.

Education and Career
Oberberger grew up in Grass near Regensburg. He attended high school in Regensburg from 1915 to 1921 before starting an apprenticeship as a stained glass artist in Regensburg. He then studied at the Academy of Applied Arts in Munich and later at the Academy of Fine Arts, where he became a student of Olaf Gulbransson. During this time, he met Mathilde Schmeckenbecher, whom he married in 1939.

After completing his studies in 1932, Oberberger worked as the director of a stained glass workshop and taught free painting and graphics at the Academy of Applied Arts. He traveled to Paris in 1937 and visited famous cathedrals, which influenced his artistic development.

Wartime
In October 1939, Oberberger was drafted into military service. During his time as a soldier, he created numerous drawings and paintings, particularly in Ukraine. He was also involved in the preservation of medieval stained glass windows in Naumburg. In 1944, his Munich apartment was damaged in a bombing raid, resulting in the loss of many of his works.

Professorship and Teaching
From 1939, Oberberger was a professor at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, where he taught until his retirement in 1973. After the war, he finally received his own professorship in 1952. Throughout his career, he had numerous students, some of whom became well-known artists themselves. Oberberger traveled extensively, drawing inspiration from various countries, including France and Turkey.

Artistic Themes and Style
Oberberger worked in various styles influenced by artists like Rembrandt, Edgar Degas, and Pablo Picasso. He addressed a wide range of subjects, from everyday scenes to portraits of contemporary figures. His works are characterized by experimental compositions and a diverse color palette.

In his later years, Oberberger lived in Kreuth, where he worked on significant projects, including large stained glass windows in the Regensburg Cathedral. His final years were creative and productive, leaving behind a wealth of sketches and drawings that reflect his artistic ideas and thoughts.