Jan 22

Jan 22 Varlin

Varlin, or Willy Leopold Guggenheim, was an artist born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1900. Varlin attended several art schools such as the Berlin State School of Fine Arts in 1921 and, shortly after, The Académie Julian Art School in Paris. He was sponsored by the infamous Polish art dealer Leopold Zborovski who had his name changed to a more bohemian-friendly title. The Swiss painter’s work was exhibited at several galleries during his lifetime and was also shown at the Venice Biennale. Varlin also received numerous awards including the prestigious Fiorino D’oro. Much of Varlin’s work is figurative and realistic and set in urban interior scenes. Compared to his contemporaries, Varlin’s work is very controlled despite the rough quality to attributed to it. Today, Varlin’s work is commended for providing insight into the cosmopolitan social scene of his time.