On the occasion of the airfield anniversary in Kempten-Durach from July 4th to 6th, 2025, I created one of my most expressive works to date: The historic Klemm 25, registration D‑EJOL, flies in my new painting not only over a sea at sunset — it soars into a whole sea of stars. The artwork combines classic technical depiction with a cosmic, almost dreamlike view of the sky. A play of light, space, and history.
The Aircraft: The "Klemm 25"
In the 1920s and ’30s, the Klemm 25 was one of Germany’s most successful light aircraft. Developed by aircraft designer Hanns Klemm, it was mainly used as a sport and training plane — featuring a wooden fuselage, fabric-covered wings, and an open cockpit. Its outstanding agility and relatively low fuel consumption made it the perfect machine for flight schools and private pilots.
The Klemm 25 with the registration D-EJOL, which was also showcased at the airfield festival, is a particularly well-preserved original. The silhouette of this aircraft, with its flowing elegance, is immediately recognizable in the painting.
The Painting: Contrasts Between Technology and Cosmos
This 90 × 90 cm painting was created using a combination of oil and acrylic paints on canvas. This technique allows for intense contrasts and layered textures:
In the foreground lies a dark, rugged coastline — rocks covered with grass that appear as shadowy silhouettes in the twilight. The sea reflects a warm light — it seems as if the sun is just setting beyond the horizon.
At the center of the painting, the Klemm 25 appears to float weightlessly — captured in motion, almost silently between sky and water.
The sky serves as the true stage: a dark cosmos filled with countless stars, sparkling galaxies, and a prominently visible Milky Way glowing almost surrealistically bright. It cuts diagonally across the painting, giving the work an abstract, almost metaphysical dimension. This is not just about aviation technology — it’s about the feeling of gliding through the space between Earth and the universe.
Details about the Artwork
- Subject: Historical Aircraft Painting – Klemm 25 over the Sea
- Medium: Oil and acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 90 x 90 cm
Abstraction as a Stylistic Device
This piece deliberately pushes the boundaries of classic landscape and technical painting. The Milky Way is exaggerated, almost symbolic — an artistic tool used to express wonder, vastness, and infinity. The strong contrast between light and dark gives the painting a dramatic depth that captivated many visitors during the exhibition.
Although the scene would never exactly exist in reality, it is emotionally realistic — the painting conveys a feeling many associate with flying: freedom, grandeur, and a quiet connection to the cosmos.
Exhibition: Spotlight at the Airfield Festival
The painting was first presented during the airfield anniversary in Kempten-Durach, where the actual Klemm 25 “D-EJOL” was also on display. It was an undeniable highlight of my exhibition: visitors lingered in front of it, commenting on the unusual color mood and emotional impact.
The combination of aviation history and artistic abstraction seemed to strike a chord — many saw not just an aircraft, but a dream of flying, of light, and openness.
Conclusion: Flying Between Reality and Fantasy
This painting is a great example of what art can achieve: it doesn’t just document, it interprets. It doesn’t simply show an airplane — it lets it fly. Over the sea. Through the Milky Way. Into a world where light, space, and technology merge into a feeling.
If you would like a painting like this — whether of a real historic aircraft or a more imaginative interpretation — I look forward to hearing from you. I paint with care, attention to detail, and room for dreams.
