Hometown Dynamics

Fraueninsel on Lake : Artists’ paradise and place of longing

The peaks of the Chiemgau Alps rise majestically to the south-east of the small island of Fraueninsel on Lake Chiemsee. The leaves of the ancient trees sway gently in the wind on the shores of ’s largest lake – accompanied by the constant splashing of the waves. The shallow banks, small bays and extensive moorland combine to create a picturesque lake landscape like no other.

Frauenchiemsee artists’ colony: The mythology of a complete natural idyll

For centuries, people have been captivated by the beautiful scenery of Lake Chiemsee. In 1828, four young artists from settled on the secluded little island of Fraueninsel on the lake. This marked the birth of the artists’ colony, which includes sculptors and writers and is one of the oldest and best-known artists’ colonies in Europe.

The artists record their longing for perfect beauty on canvas using opulent motifs: the romantic fishermen’s houses of the island, the floral gardens, the decorated houses, the breathtaking natural idylls in the interplay of light and cloud shadows. In this way they use their landscape paintings to spread the mythology of Bavaria around the world.

Island pottery: Traditional craftsmanship with a love of detail

To this day, artists still live on the secluded, car-free Fraueninsel in the middle of Lake Chiemsee. One of them is Georg Klampfleuthner from the island’s pottery. Founded in the year 1609 to serve the monastery, the pottery has been in his family since 1723, and has been passed down from generation to generation. In the cosy workshop that looks out over the lake, all manner of tiles, crockery, jugs, plates and other ceramic items have been produced for over 400 years. Every single piece demonstrates traditional craftsmanship, a great deal of attention to detail and a unique, distinctive style.

That is important to Georg Klampfleuthner. For him, tradition is something that has to keep evolving. In order to avoid anything too hackneyed, he says, “Naturally the basic character and the ancient signatures must remain intact, so that the souls of my predecessors live on in the pieces. But if you allow some of your own personality to flow into the piece, you are developing that tradition further – and creating something authentic.”

Lake Chiemsee as a source of inspiration: A hint of Bavaria in every piece

Creating something for eternity, as the members of the artists’ colony on Frauenchiemsee have always done. Then and now. Inspired by the natural idyll of the “Bavarian sea”, as Lake Chiemsee is also known.

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Local traditionalist Georg Klampfleuthner encourages the unique beauty of his surroundings to flow into his work: For his modern line, he works with watery, soft glazes, which allow the original colours of the clay to shine through. “This transparency gives the impression of gazing into flowing water,” says the 54-year-old. And so a small piece of Lake Chiemsee is reflected in every work produced in the island pottery.

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Personal tips from Georg Klampfleuthner:

I am the third President of the Cultural Heritage Association of on Lake Chiemsee. At the Gallery in the Old Town Hall in Prien we stage very attractive exhibitions by artists from Lake Chiemsee or pop art painters. For 2019 we are planning an exhibition of the work of actor and painter Armin Mueller-Stahl. You should definitely also visit the island of and look round the palace and the Augustinian monastery, which has been beautifully restored. The island of Fraueninsel is completely different. You can think of it as a pretty village. Depending on how fit you are, you can drive up or climb the Kampenwand – a 1,669-metre mountain peak in the Chiemgau Alps. From here you get a wonderful view over Lake Chiemsee. Then there are an incredible number of lovely little spots round here, such as the bay known as the Hirschauer Bucht. Take your bicycle and go for a ride round the lake, or go for a walk there. At Samerberg you can hike along the foot of the Hochries – a high plateau. It’s incredibly beautiful. If the weather is bad, I’d recommend the Lokschuppen in . They always have excellent exhibitions that are really well done. Another tip for rainy days is the Prienavera Erlebnisbad pool complex in Prien.

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