Walter Moras (1856 - 1925)

Walter Moras, (January 20, 1856 - March 6, 1925), was a German landscape painter who specialized to some extent in winter scenes. Realism.

Life and Work: Moras was significantly influenced by the marine and landscape painter Hermann Eschke (1823-1900). In Berlin, where Moras was born, he received his artistic training in Eschke's studio. In 1876 the young Moras organized his first exhibition, at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin. Afterwards, Moras' works were displayed continuously, in small numbers, at major Berlin art exhibitions. Moras also took part in exhibitions in Bremen, Oldenburg and Munich. On Eschke's advice, the young Moras painted scenes in Mecklenburg and on the large, capricious German island of Rügen. He also painted in Norway, the Netherlands and Italy. However, many of his works were made in the countryside of Brandenburg and later in the Spreewald, both in the Berlin region. He hardly painted in Berlin itself, even though he was described as a "Berlin painter" all his life.

Moras' style was realistic, influenced by a touch of melancholy, and generally simple and refined. Some of his suggestive landscapes have impressionist influences. In later years he was known for large format autumn scenes illuminated by warm autumn colors. His numerous winter landscapes, which were composed with great attention to detail, similarly displayed warmer hues amid the snowy context.

Moras was not a member of the Berlin Artists Association, nor did he become involved with any of the North German artist colonies, although he sometimes painted in their neighborhood. In 1882 he married Ida Baluschek, the daughter of A. Berlin railway designer. Their son Bruno was born in 1883. Bruno Moras would also become a painter, but he was once overshadowed by his father's reputation.