Christopher Lehmpfuhl – London
We are delighted to announce our exhibition Christopher Lehmpfuhl: London, featuring the Berlin-based plein-air painter who ventured into the streets of the British capital in the footsteps of the Impressionists. Accompanied by Mamuka Bliadze and Patrick Bence-Trower of KORNFELD Galerie Berlin, Lehmpfuhl’s journey resulted in a collection of new paintings and watercolours that capture the essence of London, blending painterly tradition with the artist’s unique and sensual approach.
Impressions & Adventure: A Week with Christopher Lehmpfuhl in London
After weeks of navigating licenses, customs regulations, and bureaucratic challenges at a near post-Brexit scale, we finally set off. Questions abounded: how would we transport the paint across the border? What if it rained? Who would dare to drive on the other side of the road? Would we even be allowed to paint in the streets of London? The plan was to paint some of the most recognisable—and most tightly guarded—landmarks in the world. Whatever happened, we knew we were in for an adventure.
When Christopher Lehmpfuhl finally landed at Heathrow Airport and the van carrying all materials arrived safely, it felt nothing short of miraculous. Despite a rainy beginning, four days of glorious sunshine followed—highly uncharacteristic by English standards. Lehmpfuhl remarked: “No one will believe it’s England!”
Believe it or not, anyone viewing these paintings cannot deny that the light and Lehmpfuhl’s colours are a perfect match. Like the Impressionists who painted London over a century ago, he succeeded in bringing breathtaking light and colour onto the canvas.
Following their tradition, he worked outdoors, exposing himself to wind and weather, to the sounds and smells of his surroundings. Unlike the Impressionists, however, he also had to contend with the reactions of dozens—if not hundreds—of tourists: some polite, others nearly falling into the paint buckets to capture the best photograph. Nonetheless, Lehmpfuhl managed to revive a centuries-old tradition and distil the city’s essence.
At the end of each painting, the artist quite literally holds a different part of London in his hands—his hands being the only tools he uses when oil painting. His creativity, stimulated by direct sensory perception, is both playful and serious. His emotions and thoughts are directly embedded in the works. These are not exact representations of reality, but rather abstract poetry on canvas, which fully unfolds only when seen in person.
Lehmpfuhl in London is therefore not merely a picturesque snapshot of a city and its many facets, but a deeply personal journey that transcends traditional landscape painting. Each brushstroke and colour weaves together the artist’s unique sensory experiences. This week in London stands as a vivid testament to the dynamic interaction between artist, environment, and emotion—offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the soul of the city.
— Patrick Bence-Trower
Christopher Lehmpfuhl (born 1972 in Berlin, Germany) first exhibited with KORNFELD Galerie Berlin in 2017 and has since participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions as well as national and international art fairs. As a Berlin-based plein-air painter, Lehmpfuhl takes his materials outdoors, engaging directly with his environment and passers-by. His work merges representational and abstract forms. A master student of Klaus Fußmann, he has received multiple awards, including a scholarship from the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts and the GASAG Art Prize Berlin. His works are shown in institutions, museums, and galleries in Germany and abroad, with recent solo exhibitions at Museum Würth, Museo Würth La Rioja, Würth Forum, and Schloss Gottorf.