Waldemar Fink
Born in 1883.
Died in 1948.
Waldemar Fink (also «Waldo» Theophil Fink) was a painter whose documented activity took place mainly in Switzerland. Trained through an apprenticeship as a decorative painter, he pursued a practice combining painting with decorative painting work. He lived in Adelboden from 1909 to 1922, then moved to Bern, where he continued to work.
His work focuses on mountain landscapes, a recurring theme attested by numerous dated and located canvases. As early as 1908, a 'Herbstliche Berglandschaft' (oil on canvas, 31 × 57 cm) is recorded, followed by winter landscapes around Adelboden dated 1911 and 1912. 'Sommertag an der Aare bei Worblaufen' (59 × 80 cm) appeared in 1920, while 1924 saw the execution of large paintings depicting Grindelwald, including 'Junimorgen bei Grindelwald' and 'Herbstnachmittag bei Grindelwald'.
The years 1927–1928 include views of the Matterhorn and its surroundings (for example, Findelen and the Findelengletscher). Further works from 1929 and 1934 — such as 'Märzsonne im Lauterbrunnental' and 'Thunersee mit Niesen' — attest to a practice extending over several decades. A canvas dated June 1942, 'Am Fussweg Ferden‑Kippel', is listed as being held at the Lötschentaler Museum (Kippel), according to the documentation consulted.
Stylistically, the entries identify an initial point of departure inspired by an Impressionism akin to Segantini’s, followed by a shift towards coarser brushwork and a more personal treatment. Contemporary market-related notices also note a tonal development after the pre-war period, referring to a lighter palette and more pronounced contrasts. He exhibited regularly in Bern and, according to the same source, also showed works in Munich.
As an aside, he took part in a ski race in Adelboden on 26 January 1920, placing sixth. A SIKART entry brings together the principal biographical and documentary information identified and serves as the online reference for this dossier.
Taken together, the material describes a painter devoted to the study of Alpine landscapes over four decades, whose stylistic development is attested by dated works and references to local exhibitions.
