Paul Nietsche RUA

Paul Nietsche (1885-1950) was a Ukrainian born still life and landscape painter. In 1908, he entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He then moved to Paris where he became acquainted with the sculptor, Auguste Rodin, then exhibited at the Salon in 1912. After the First World War, he moved to Berlin where he became friendly with Dr Michael O’Brien from Dublin, a post-graduate student. As a lecturer at Queen’s University, Dr O’Brien invited Nietsche who arrived in 1926. That year he exhibited works at the Ulster Arts Club, followed by exhibitions at the O’Briens’ home in Belfast, and in 1930 he exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Nietsche travelled across Europe, frequently returning to Ireland. During the Second World War, he was interned in the Isle of Man which led to several crayon portraits of other internees present.  

Nietsche settled down in Belfast after acquiring a studio on the Dublin Road where he lived and worked until his death in 1950. A retrospective exhibition took place at the Arts Council Gallery in Belfast, 1984.