An exhibition entitled "The Horse in Art," displaying the works of painter Jan Künster, has evokedgreat interest. The Museum of European Art in Nörvenich, locatedbetween Bonn and Cologne, exhibited 185 pictures by the well-knownGerman painter of horses. The artist works from a realisticperspective. His horses in motion fascinate not only laymen, butexperts as well.
Künster is a pleasant, calm and discretepainter. That is perhaps one of the reasons that he has suchprominent clients, from Japan to Europe to the United States. EvenQueen Elizabeth II has some of his pictures in her collection. It isno wonder that Künster has painted Ronald Reagan's horse'El Alamein.' A colored lithograph of this Arabstallion was also exhibited in Germany. Before approximately 800guests, Mr. B. John Zavrel, president of the U.S. Museum of EuropeanArt, extended greetings from Ronald Reagan.
Among the guests were politicians, diplomats,athletes and artists. Professor Alphons Silbermann, who lived for along time in the United States and is now in Germany, spoke on themythology of the horse and its portrayal in the fine arts over thecourse of thousands of years.
As patron of the exhibition, Dr. Reiner Klimke,Germany's most successful dressage rider, praised the painter: "JanKünster paints horses just as they are--vital, sensitive andbeautiful. In so doing he continues a great tradition. Even more, hedelights horse-lovers of today and arouses the interest of youngpeople."
Among the guests were many children and youngpeople. Hunting-horn blowing, horseback riding, and driving in oldcoaches were all part of the varied program. Excellent food wasprovided by the well-known Bavarian cook Alfons Schuhbeck, who ownsthe 'Kurhaus-Stueberl' restaurant in Waging on the Lake nearMunich.
On the occasion of this exhibition, the colored lithograph 'ElAlamein' was published. It shows Ronald Reagan's Arab stallion, onhandsome paper, size 13 x 19 inches, limited edition, handsigned bythe artist. It is sold for $180 only and includes a certificate ofauthenticity. (Available from West-Art Gallery, P.O. Box 279,Clarence, NY 14031)..