The painter of autumn in the tower

Erich Nikutowski lived and worked from 1899 to 1921 in today's Hotel & Restaurant Zum Turm in Kaub. His atmospheric Rhinelands made him known as the "Painter of Autumn".

Discover history

„Anyone who is a guest at the Hotel Zum Turm today visits a place where art and regional history once came to life."

Erich Nikutowski in Kaub

Erich Nikutowski (1872–1921) was a German landscape painter of the Düsseldorfer Schule. He became famous above all for his poetic, often autumnally coloured Rhinelands. Because of the warm light moods, the golden tones and the quiet atmosphere of his paintings, he received the nickname "Painter of Autumn".

For Kaub, his history is of very special importance: From 1899 to 1921 the artist lived in today's Hotel Zum Turm. Here he found inspiration in the unique landscape of the Middle Rhine - with the Rhine, the vineyards, the historic streets of Kaubs and the striking castle Pfalzgrafenstein.

His works are still valuable testimonies of the old Middle Rhine. They combine art, landscape and history in a very special way and make visible how Kaub must have looked and worked around 1900.

The Artist

Trained in Düsseldorf, Nikutowski developed a fine, atmospheric landscape painting between realism and impressionist impressionist of nature.

The motives

Particularly often he painted Rhineland neighbourhoods, historical city views, village motifs and again and again the castle Pfalzgrafenstein near Kaub.

The mood

Warm evening light, fog over the river, autumnal slopes and a quiet melancholy make his images unmistakeable.

Kaub at the time of Erich Nikutowskis

When Erich Nikutowski lived in Kaub, the city was characterised by shipping, historical buildings, vineyards and the everyday life of a small Rhine town. The bank areas, the narrow streets, the view of Pfalzgrafenstein and the silhouette of Burg Gutenfels gave the place an unmistakeable image.

Historical photographs and views from this period show Kaub still in his old form. It was precisely this environment that made the city so attractive to a painter like Nikutowski. His works and the historical paintings therefore complement each other wonderfully and together tell the story of the old Kaub.

Zeitleiste

1872

Geburt in Düsseldorf

Erich Nikutowski was born in Düsseldorf and grew up in an artistically characterised environment.

1890er

Training and artistic development

Studies at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf and at the attention to landscape painting.

1899

Moving to Kaub

Nikutowski moves to Kaub and from then on lives in the Hotel Zum Turm, where he finds many of his most recognisable motifs.

1899–1921

Creation period on the Middle Rhine

During this time, numerous Rhinelands, town views and atmospheric autumn pictures are created.

1921

Death in Kaub

Erich Nikutowski dies in Kaub. His name remains closely associated with the Middle Rhine and the Zum Turm to this day.

Suitable for our guests

Travellers interested in culture, hikers and visitors to the Middle Rhine experience not only a historic hotel, but also a piece of authentic art and regional history. Some of his works can be found on display in our restaurant.