Varlin (Willy Guggenheim)

Varlin, born Willy Guggenheim, was a Swiss painter, graphic artist, and illustrator, active in the mid-20th century. He was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1900, and began his career as a graphic artist in the advertising industry. In the 1930s, he began to focus on painting, and his work became associated with the New Objectivity movement, which emphasized precise detail and a detached, objective approach to depicting the world.

Varlin's paintings often depicted urban landscapes and still lifes, characterized by their clarity, simplicity, and geometric forms. He was particularly interested in the interplay between light and shadow, and his work often featured stark contrasts between areas of bright light and deep shadow. In addition to painting, Varlin also worked as a graphic artist and illustrator, creating posters, book covers, and other commercial designs.

Varlin's career was interrupted by World War II, during which he was imprisoned by the Nazis for his political views. After the war, he resumed his career as an artist, and his work was widely exhibited in Switzerland and Germany. He died in Zurich in 1977, but his work continues to be celebrated for its precise, realistic style and its contribution to the New Objectivity movement.