Herbert Johannes Josef Siebner

$7,500.00
SOLD

Herbert Johannes Josef Siebner
(Canadian/German, 1925–2003)
Stone Window on the Rivera
1989
Mixed media on board
19.5 × 23.75 in. (49.5 × 60.3 cm)

Created in 1989, Stone Window on the Rivera showcases Herbert Siebner's mature late-period style, where memories of European travels and Mediterranean architecture meet his signature Expressionist technique. The composition utilizes a classic "window-within-a-window" motif, using a textured, carved stone aperture to frame a luminous coastal vista. Through the heavy, masonry-like borders, vibrant fields of color suggest the sun-drenched atmosphere, azure waters, and ancient topography of the Riviera.

Executed in mixed media on board, the painting highlights Siebner's tactile approach to surface texture. By layering paint, ink, and scraped grounds, he gives the board the weathered appearance of an ancient fresco or relief carving. The juxtaposition of heavy architectural forms with open horizon light creates a quiet, reflective mood, illustrating his ability to transform physical landscapes into timeless visual allegories.

Arriving in Victoria in 1954 after studying under Max Pechstein at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin, Siebner is widely credited with helping introduce German Expressionism to Western Canada. In 1971, he co-founded the legendary Victoria Limners Society alongside Maxwell Bates, Myfanwy Pavelic, Karl Spreitz, and Elza Mayhew, creating a vital bohemian collective that transformed the regional art scene. Over his five-decade career, Siebner held more than 130 solo exhibitions across North America and Europe.

Major Accolades & Recognition:

  • Held over 130 solo exhibitions worldwide during his lifetime

  • Elected Member, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (R.C.A., 1973)

  • Co-Founder and President, The Victoria Limners Society (1971)

  • Recipient, Canada Council Senior Arts Fellowship Grant (1962)

  • Canadian National Award in Graphic Arts (1956)

  • Canadian Centennial Medal Recipient (1967)

  • Retrospective & Solo Exhibitions, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1955, 1961, 1965, 1970, 1984, 2003)

Selected Permanent Collections:

  • National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, ON)

  • Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver, BC)

  • Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (Victoria, BC)

  • Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, ON)

  • Collection of Princess Fernanda von Thurn und Taxis

  • City of Berlin Collection (Berlin, Germany)

  • Confederation Centre Art Gallery (Charlottetown, PEI)

  • Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, WA)

  • University of Victoria Archives & Special Collections (Victoria, BC)

  • Feckless Collection (Vancouver, BC)

Herbert Johannes Josef Siebner
(Canadian/German, 1925–2003)
Stone Window on the Rivera
1989
Mixed media on board
19.5 × 23.75 in. (49.5 × 60.3 cm)

Created in 1989, Stone Window on the Rivera showcases Herbert Siebner's mature late-period style, where memories of European travels and Mediterranean architecture meet his signature Expressionist technique. The composition utilizes a classic "window-within-a-window" motif, using a textured, carved stone aperture to frame a luminous coastal vista. Through the heavy, masonry-like borders, vibrant fields of color suggest the sun-drenched atmosphere, azure waters, and ancient topography of the Riviera.

Executed in mixed media on board, the painting highlights Siebner's tactile approach to surface texture. By layering paint, ink, and scraped grounds, he gives the board the weathered appearance of an ancient fresco or relief carving. The juxtaposition of heavy architectural forms with open horizon light creates a quiet, reflective mood, illustrating his ability to transform physical landscapes into timeless visual allegories.

Arriving in Victoria in 1954 after studying under Max Pechstein at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin, Siebner is widely credited with helping introduce German Expressionism to Western Canada. In 1971, he co-founded the legendary Victoria Limners Society alongside Maxwell Bates, Myfanwy Pavelic, Karl Spreitz, and Elza Mayhew, creating a vital bohemian collective that transformed the regional art scene. Over his five-decade career, Siebner held more than 130 solo exhibitions across North America and Europe.

Major Accolades & Recognition:

  • Held over 130 solo exhibitions worldwide during his lifetime

  • Elected Member, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (R.C.A., 1973)

  • Co-Founder and President, The Victoria Limners Society (1971)

  • Recipient, Canada Council Senior Arts Fellowship Grant (1962)

  • Canadian National Award in Graphic Arts (1956)

  • Canadian Centennial Medal Recipient (1967)

  • Retrospective & Solo Exhibitions, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1955, 1961, 1965, 1970, 1984, 2003)

Selected Permanent Collections:

  • National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, ON)

  • Vancouver Art Gallery (Vancouver, BC)

  • Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (Victoria, BC)

  • Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, ON)

  • Collection of Princess Fernanda von Thurn und Taxis

  • City of Berlin Collection (Berlin, Germany)

  • Confederation Centre Art Gallery (Charlottetown, PEI)

  • Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, WA)

  • University of Victoria Archives & Special Collections (Victoria, BC)

  • Feckless Collection (Vancouver, BC)

Herbert Johannes Josef Siebner (1925-2003) was a German-born Canadian artist whose life and art were deeply shaped by the turmoil of World War II. After forced conscription into the Nazi army, he returned to Berlin and pursued art studies, his experiences fueling a lifelong distrust of authority and unwavering belief in artistic freedom. In 1954, Siebner immigrated to Victoria, BC, where he became a driving force in the local art scene. His modernist style, experimental spirit, and the founding of influential groups like The Point Group and The Limners solidified his role as a catalyst for artistic expression.

Siebner was a prolific artist, exhibiting extensively throughout his career in cities around the world. His work is held in numerous prestigious collections across Canada and internationally, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and the City of Berlin collection. Siebner's legacy resonates in his bold exploration of personal expression, resilience in the face of oppression, and enduring contributions to the Canadian art landscape.