Art and crafts: Engelbert Freudenschuss enlivens the VerGalder-Handwerk

Art and crafts: Engelbert Freudenschuss enlivens the VerGalder-Handwerk

st. Nikola. Engelbert Freudenschuss is a true multi -talent, whose studio is much more than just a job. When he opens the door of his creative space, a world full of art and history meets you. Statues, old pictures and the materials for gilding the works of art, you can feel the same: work is done with passion. In addition to his work as a gilder and restorer, he is also a sought -after artistic designer. With bright eyes and the great spectrum of tasks that expect him.

Already from an early age, art was part of his life. At school he was particularly enthusiastic about art lessons and the drawing of saints. Over time, he discovered that his creative streak could lead him to the way of art restoration. An experienced pastor supported him and gave him an apprenticeship with a gilder. The training was hard, but his goal motivated him. After the army he entered the nursing service, but his passion for art ultimately led him to independence. Since 2007, Freudenschuss has been working together with his wife in her own workshop.

an exception in the field of gilders

In Austria, gilders like Engelbert are sown rare. The master's examination for this profession is hardly in demand. But when the Chamber of Commerce offered him the opportunity to check alone, he immediately took the chance. There were no preparatory courses and he had to transport all the required materials to Vienna. In the exam, the examiners, all the older masters of their craft, saw an artist who not only dominated the techniques of gilding, but also approached the work with a pronounced creative note. After four days, he was recognized as a master of gilding craft. "In all of Upper Austria I am one of two who have registered the trade," he says proudly.

The gilding industry was included in the UNESCO directory of the intangible cultural heritage in 2017, which was happily noticed. It is an award for a craft that has many facets. Every day is a new challenge for him, sometimes he has to work on a restoration for several days in a row - for example, scrape an old coat of paint millimeter precisely. Depending on the order situation, the spectrum ranges from simple cleaning to complex reconstructions.

The search for old treasures makes him just as happy. He often browses through auction houses on the Internet, always on the hunt for hidden works of art. "I can see well if a valuable piece is hidden under an inferior overpainting," he notes. This thirst for adventure drives him and enriches his artistic perspective.

The artistic freedom of the painter

Especially when painting, joy shot feels free. The process is an exciting journey for him. "In the beginning I often don't know what comes out. These abstract works often do not have titles because he does not want the viewer to be steered in a certain direction by a name. "I like the challenge of bringing the chaos into shape," he adds.

Freeschuss not only paints abstractly, but also in figurative and combines both styles. Interestingly, it is St. Nicholas who has sometimes “appeared” in his works of art since moving to St. Nikola. "Sometimes Santa Claus comes to visibility through my colors and shapes," says the artist mischievously.

Outside of his studio, Engelbert is also responsible in his community. He is Vice Mayor of St. Nikola/Donau and actively in the Donauland-Strudengau cultural forum. On occasion you can also find him as a scenery painter for the theater workshop in Nöchling or on stage itself. His passion for art runs through all areas of his life and makes it an important part of the community.