Almost all the reproductions of pictorial art on the hotel premise are by a German artist, Louis Christian Hess (1895-1944), a fact which might arouse some curiosity.

Hess was educated at the Academic School of Munich and was influenced by the expressionist trens of the time. He was also one of the most active members of the "Juryfreie" movement, which was dedicated to opposing principles of the Nazi doctrine in the field of art, in the 1930's.

Hess's work was influenced by the atmosphere of protest in Middle Europe during that time, as might be expected. However, a number of vacation in the south of Italy, particularly in Sicily, where his sister Emma lived, offered the artist new sources of inspiration, and brought a new energy to his painting. The bright colours of the warm countryside, and the sea Riviera with the mountains of Calabria in the background inspired changes in his artistic style.

He managed to capture the human sentiments in the faces of the farmers and fishermen, which makes us feel closer to this artist.

Recently, the book "Pitture come poesie/Gemalte Gedichte" was dedicated to Louis Christian Hess. The author, Nuccio Cinquegrani, created an "imaginary interview with the painter and the characters of his works of art" suggesting at the same time a new and interesting way of interpreting the work of the artist.

IPOMEA CLUB