More works by Sibylle Prinzessin Von Preussen
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Sibylle von Preußen: Sanssouci
Sibylle von Preußen drew the inspiration for her fantastical images from the ornaments and wall paintings of Sanssouci Palace. For many years, and together with her husband Prince Friedrich Wilhelm von Preußen, she has been following in the artistic footsteps of Frederick the Great and his passion for animals. Her artistic works depict playful decorations that are covered in countless animals such as rabbits, foxes, and hunting dogs.
These are the very animals that appear in the decorations and ornaments of the Sanssouci concert room and the so-called Voltaire room. Sibylle von Preußen’s unique style manages to combine painting and the almost forgotten art of silhouetting. The result is a delicate, floating work of flora and fauna. Pure colours, such as Prussian blue or crimson, dominate, while extraneous details and backgrounds are removed to produce a clear form.
Philosophically, Sibylle von Preußen follows the example of the French enlightenment and the respectful treatment of nature, people, and animals demanded by Frederick the Great. Her series are contemporary interpretations of animal fables, full of both humour and grace. Rabbits are playfully chasing foxes, parrots are swinging freely from delicate branches. Each type of animal appears unconstrained, free from all of life’s pressures and fears.
Her silhouettes “Iris the small dancer” and the “flute boy,” created from paintings by Antoine Watteau, reduce these historic scenes to their most basic elements and symbols. Free from intricate backgrounds and opulent horizons, a dress floats like a fragile coat next to a delicate flower. The Iris binds the series together, a renowned symbol of chivalry and a remarkable flower shape.
As a poetic continuation of the literary-artistic collaboration between Sibylle von Preußen and her husband, on February 1st, 2012, they released the book “Vom anständigen Umgang mit Tieren” (“The Respectful Treatment of Animals”). In this book, Sibylle von Preußen illustrates historic animal figures in her characteristically playful style, shaping them as silhouettes or montages. The animals include, for example, Frederick’s favourite dog, Biche. The book’s cover picture, a blue silhouette, depicts Frederick the Great on his horse.VITA
1952 Born as Sibylle Kretschmer in Berlin, Germany Studies of Human sciences at Technische Universität Berlin, Germany Studies of art at Universität der Künste Berlin, Germany Studies at School of Visual Arts New York, USA 1981-1983 Assistant at Universität der Künste, Berlin, Germany 1983-1986 Stay in New York, work for the international advertising agency J. Walter Thompson 1986-1988 Lecturer for video art at Universität der Künste, Berlin, Germany 1988-1994 Direction of the project Dokumentarisches Video at Universität der Künste Berlin, Germany 1995 Artist-in-residence in the course of lecturers in Berlin, Germany Since 1994 Freelance artist and author 2005 Lecturer for painting at the Academy Bad Reichenhall, Germany Lives and works in Berlin, Germany
