Life and Education
Born in Karlsruhe, Germany, Peter Chevalier is a painter and university teacher. He studied painting from 1976 to 1980 at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig under Hermann Albert and Alfred Winter-Rust. Following advice from Albert, he moved to Berlin in 1980, where he initially held a studio in Kreuzberg. In 1985, he was awarded the Sprengel-Preis für Bildende Kunst by the Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung in Hannover. From 1992 to 2019, he served as a professor of painting in the art department at the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart. He currently lives and works in Berlin and Stuttgart.
Artistic Evolution
Chevalier's work is characterized by a proximity to surrealism. During the 1980s, his paintings juxtaposed realistic and abstract elements, often featuring clearly configured, combined objects such as houses, airplanes, columns, light bulbs, and bones. These items were frequently arranged in disproportionate ways, resembling a collage of magazine clippings. His compositions often evoked a sense of contemplative stillness and a reality distinct from the everyday world. Many of these works utilized oil paint to create a rich texture, sometimes resulting in a dry, porous surface reminiscent of pastels.
From 1988 onwards, his imagery transitioned from the static and object-oriented toward the organic and living. Human figures in his work evolved from appearing like stone statues into more mutable, growing forms. His later approach became increasingly intuitive, where forms and figures emerged from layers of color and nuance applied to the canvas through a process of feeling rather than a predetermined concept.
Questions & Answers
How did Peter Chevalier's art evolve over time?
The Chronicle of Peter Chevalier is a scroll-driven timeline that presents the artist's works in chronological order, grouped into career-period chapters.
In which movements did Peter Chevalier work?
The All Movements page groups Peter Chevalier's artworks by art movement.
How do I find works by Peter Chevalier on a specific theme?
Peter Chevalier's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.
Can I sort Peter Chevalier's artworks by color?
The Spectral Index of Peter Chevalier is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.
