Rainer Maria Latzke was born in Germany in 1950. He was raised near Cologne along with 8 siblings by his father Alfons, a reputable teacher and artist and his mother Lisa who was also an artist as well as being politically engaged. Latzke persued his natural talent in painting by studying fine art at the Academy of Arts in Duesseldorf under the supervision of Joseph Beuys and Gerhard Richter. Upon completion of his masters in fine art and philosophy he travelled through Italy to acquire in-depth knowlege of the history of Trompe l'Oeil and it's techniques. Rainer Maria Latzke resides in America working in the private interior design industry, as well as monitoring his company FrescoMaster which is marketed in Europe and America.
In 2008 Latzke was appointed adjunct professor at the Utah State University to establish a new course in illusionary wall painting, also introducing developments in digital procedures such as his patented Dreamworlds Design Studio Software.
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Life
Born 1950 in Euskirchen, a small town in Rhineland, Germany, Rainer Maria Latzke grew up with eight sisters and brothers. Both of his parents were Art teachers and most of his siblings inherited the same artistic talents. From an early age, Latzke starting using walls as canvas, even though his parents disagreed. He studied Art and Philosophy at the Duesseldorf Academy of Arts and taught at a College in his hometown for two years. Despite the securities an academic career offers, RML always had the desire to escape the provincial atmosphere of his surroundings. During this time he painted the series “Pictures of the Province”.
Latzke decided to quit teaching and went to Italy where he indulged in his passion of Fresco art and the Renaissance Masters. After two years of studies in Italy he returned to Germany to paint Murals.
At the time mural art was considered to be too realistic and detailed, yet Latzke talents where soon noticed. After a few local newspaper articles many more soon followed including Stern and Forbes, earning him the title “the Michelangelo of Modern Times”.
In 1990 RML invited guests from all over the world to celebrate his 40th birthday in his Belgian Chateau. Some of the prominent guests included the premier minister of Belgium, members of the royal families of the UAE and band members of the scorpions. The event was broadcasted by the german television ARD.
Vita
Latzke hanging off a recently completed ceiling mural, for the cover of the German newspaper 'Welt am Sontag'. The mural has thousands of integrated LED lights completing the illusion of space.
Click here to view the Vita of Rainer Maria Latzke as a PDF document.
RML's Residences
Click to view the Chateau Thal brochure. (PDF)
In 1986 Latzke purchased the historic castle 'Chateau Thal' and restored it to it's original splendor.
Latzke with son Rene (right) and daughter Katharina (left).
In the past, the castle accommodated personalities such as Mozart and Casanova. Latzke recreated an authentic and splendiferous atmosphere, including murals, baroque architectural elements, as well as using authentic medieval furniture. Combining these authentic elements with modern techniques and technologies Latzke brought the cheteau into the 21st century.
In '98 Latzke acquired the Villa Paradou a landmark estate near Monaco overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The Villa was built for Henry Chretien, an inventor who won an Oscar for creating the Cinemascope technique. The Villa was constructed by Charles Garnier, who was the architect of the Opera of Paris.
Latzke restored the Villa and the surrounding 100.000 sqft park including an original gazebo construction by Gustave Eiffel, who was a close friend of Chretiens'.
Coated with original murals of the artist, his guest's can enjoy their own secluded villa nestled in the hills of St. Pancrace 'overlooking the roofs of Nice'.
The Fine Art of Mural Painting
This giant is one of 4 Titans holding up a chandalier found in the entrance hall of a Chateau.
During Latzke's travels through Italy in his early adulthood, he soon discovered his passion for Renaissance frescoes.
Studying Philosophy and Fine Art at the Academy of Arts in Duesseldorf, Latzke continued to persue his interest in the styles of Renaissance art.
Mural created for luxury car manufactory Maserati.
Using realism as a foundation, Latzke added his own personal touch of surrealism to his paintings, creating a stunning balance between modern and classical art.
Music
Besides painting, music has always played an important role in Rainer Maria Latzke´s life. In the early sixties, at the age of 14 he founded his first band with classmates. When his career as a painter kicked off, Latzke was forced to put his musical ambitions to a halt. In 1998 Latzke recorded some of his compositions with the jazz pianist Eric Alberti and bassist Frank Ledonne.
Unlike the persuit of perfection in Latzke’s art, he considers music as a pure hobby and recreational activity.