Everyone has that happy place, and for Hermann, it was seated atop a hill, painting the stunning landscape of Northern Ontario.
B orn July 18th, 1897 in Hamburg, Germany, Hermann’s path would lead him to art school, learning under renowned author Hermann Claudius, and later studied Lithography. He eventually settled in Glückstadt, where he married his wife Erna and had a son Ole and a daughter Elsbe. There he built his Atelier in 1928 and would go on to restore several churches throughout the 1950’s.
After Ole moved to Canada in 1958, Hermann and Erna traveled across the Atlantic Ocean by boat on three separate occassions to visit their son. Upon arrival, Hermann’s artistic eye and curiosity drew him to seek out North America’s most scenic landscapes. His travels took him from the Pacific Coast of California to the Rocky Mountains, but of all his journeys, it was Algonquin Park and the surrounding area which genuinely stole his heart.
It was this seduction, that in 1971, encouraged Ole and the Wehrmann family to relocate north to Huntsville. Astounded by its tranquility and beauty, Hermann would make several more trips here to admire the land and paint before his passing in 1977.
Ole’s son Dierck remembers fondly, carrying his grandfather’s painting supplies and easle into the bush in order to render a lake or other point of interest. Here in his happy place, Hermann’s artistic visions came to life as he captured the beautiful landscapes of Northern Ontario.
Born July 18 in Hamburg, Germany.
Attended art school with teacher Hermann Claudius.
With the goal of becoming a lithographer, he attended the Staatliche Kunstgewerbeschule in Hamburg in 1912/13.
Moved to Gluchstadt (on the Lower Elbe), Germany.
Attended the School of Applied Arts in Hamburg again in the winter semester of 1919/20.
Continued his studies under Arthur Illies at the Kunsthochschule Kassel.
Married Erna Berens.
Son Ole was born.
Daughter Elsbe was born. Began church restorations and some commissioned work in public buildings was added.
Built the Atelier.
After the war, he continued restoration of churches – over 50 churches in 16 years – and public buildings.
Son Ole moves to Canada.
Hermann makes trip to Ontario to visit and paint.
Hermann makes trip to Ontario, then travels to Alberta and California via train, to visit and paint.
In 1971 the Atelier burned down and a large part of his life’s work was destroyed.
Hermann makes trip to Canada to visit his family in Northern Ontario and Montreal and paint.
Hermann passes away in Gluchstadt, Germany.
