Josef Madlener ~ Ber Berggeist (The mountain Spirit) ca.1925 mid

Josef Madlener (1881-1967) was a German artist and illustrator. His art was published in various newspapers, magazines and postcards. Madlener studied at the School of Applied Art and the Academy in Munich. Madlener’s best known work is “Der Berggeist” (the mountain spirit) since it was an inspiration to J.R.R. Tolkien. A reproduction of Der Berggeist on a postcard that was owned by Tolkien was marked “the origin of Gandalf.” The biographer Humphrey Carpenter claims that Tolkien stumbled upon the postcard during a 1911 visit to Switzerland. But the artist’s daughter stated in an interview that she remember her father painting it in the 1920’s.

Josef Madlener ~ Heiligekunst (Sacred Art)

Unfortunately, there is not much information available about Madlener on the web. Some of his paintings make use of symbols that are ambiguous to modern viewers. Which in a sense increases the effect of the work. His style often evokes the design of stain glass windows. It seems Madlener was born a generation late; he was born the same year as Picasso. He may have had had more recognition if he was of the Pre-Raphaelite generation.

Josef Madlener Venus

Josef Madlener

Josef Madlener

Josef Madlener Hubertus Hirsch auf Waldlichtung