Oil on canvas, 67 x 57 cm, framed - In memory of the good times, your cousin Paul - dated 1934

This impressive landscape painting is by Paul Dahlen (1881–1954), a German painter who, thanks to his atmospheric landscapes and subtle conception of nature, is considered one of the most important, now rediscovered artists of the early 20th century.

Born in Karlsruhe in 1881, Dahlen spent his youth in the wine-growing region of the Rheingau, in Geisenheim am Rhein – a region whose rolling hills, vineyards, and river valleys left a lasting impression on him. The family later moved to Wiesbaden, where he attended high school and received his first artistic training at the local School of Applied Arts. He then studied at the Karlsruhe Art Academy, where Wilhelm Trübner, a proponent of Impressionism, had a decisive influence on his painting style.

In 1907, Dahlen traveled to Italy, where he perfected his plein air technique—painting outdoors. Further study trips took him to France and the Balkans. In 1916, he settled permanently in Wiesbaden, which became his home and creative center. During the First World War, Dahlen worked as a war painter in Romania.

Between 1914 and 1919, he spent several days in Großmöllen (Western Pomerania), where he created numerous works. A large portion of these works became part of the collection of the lawyer and art collector Max von Schmeling, whose estate later formed the basis of an exhibition at the Museum of Köslin (2011/12).

"View into the Wisper Valley" is a typical work from Dahlen's later period—a homage to the tranquil landscape in the Taunus Mountains west of Wiesbaden, only gently touched by human hands. The scene is characterized by rich green and ochre tones, impasto application of paint, and rhythmic composition. Dahlen paints the Wisper Valley not as a static motif, but as a living organism—permeated by light, movement, and depth.

The gold-framed frame underscores the expressiveness of the work without obscuring its presence. Measuring 67 x 57 cm, the painting is suitable for collections as well as an impressive focal point in stylish living or work spaces.

Back in Wiesbaden, Dahlen became known as the "Painter of the Rhine." His impressive Rheingau landscapes, his drawings, lithographs, woodcuts, watercolors, and oil paintings made him a sought-after artist of his time. He was a long-time board member of the Nassau Art Association and, among other things, designed the stationery for the former Nassau Antiquities Collection at the Museum Wiesbaden.

In 2013, his work was honored in a comprehensive exhibition by the Lorch Cultural and Local History Association in collaboration with the collector Georg Breitwieser – a testament to the continued appreciation of his artistic work.

Paul Dahlen died on February 2, 1954 in Wiesbaden.

This painting is more than a landscape—it is an emotional glimpse into a world that was, for Dahlen, simultaneously home, inspiration, and a painterly cosmos. A striking testament to his deep connection with nature and his artistic ambition to transform the visible into a tangible experience.