Walter Alexander Moritz von Ruckteschell

[KZNChris]

In Leonard Mosley's book "Duel for Kilimanjaro" there is an image ( 22 opposite page 160 ) of a sketch by von Ruckteschell

Very interesting as it looks very much like the style of a later famous painter in SA - Jacob Hendrik Pierneef

Baobab Trees Tanga River Mouth

http://www.johansborman.co.za/sa-masters/pierneef-jh/boabab_trees_tanga_river_mouth_1926__45_x_60_cm.jpg/

Have a look at his other paintings on the left and you will see what I mean.

I see von Ruckteschell also has a book under his name

Von Ruckteschell, Walter Der Feldzug in Ostafrika [um Vaterland Und Kolonie] Berlin, Hugo Hermuhler, 1919

I was wondering if anyone knows if he ever published any of his African art work ( sketches etc ) and if these are available anywhere ?

I would really like to have a look at his work. ( OK this is not really War stuff -- but we have similar situations with British men in uniform that were also painters -- AZW )

[KONDOA]

In Von Lettows "Reminiscences" there are various sketches by his Adjutant, Lt Von Ruckteschell,the style is somewhat different to the painting depicted but styles change with fashion.

His wife was the first woman to climb Kilimanjaro, alledgedly, in 1914.

Roop

[KZNChris]

In Von Lettows "Reminiscences" there are various sketches by his Adjutant, Lt Von Ruckteschell,the style is somewhat different to the painting depicted but styles change with fashion.

His wife was the first woman to climb Kilimanjaro, alledgedly, in 1914.

Roop

Hi Roop ,

Next time you are at Christies have a look see what a Pierneef goes for .........

Yes just been reading about Frau von Ruckteschell..

There is some slight difference as to which PEAK they managed to ascend.

GERTRUDE EMILY BENHAM (1867-1938)

http://www.howgego.c...mily_benham.htm

It is generally assumed that a certain Frau (Clara?) von Ruckteschell was the first woman on the mountain

when, in February 1914, she accompanied the St Petersburg-born army officer and artist, Lieutenant Walter von Ruckteschell (1882-1941).

It appears that the Von Rukteschells failed to reach the Kibo summit.

The first British woman generally recognised as having achieved this distinction was the twenty-two-year-old Londoner,

Sheila Macdonald (later Mrs Sheila Combe), who on 31 July 1927 reached the summit of Kibo in the company of William C. West, a member of the Alpine Club.

and of course many many thousands after that

[Ithklur]

I would really like to have a look at his work. ( OK this is not really War stuff -- but we have similar situations with British men in uniform that were also painters -- AZW )

Hello

here is some of his artwork: http://www.artvalue....-von-1882-1.htm

Also he made a large Picture of Saint Christopher in the Friedenskirche Eilbek: http://www.friedensk...edenskirche.htm

and the "Askari-Reliefs" in Hamburgs "Tansania-Park" (former "Lettow-Vorbeck-Kaserne" aka „St. Andrews Barracks" for the british forces after 1945)

regards

Olav

[KONDOA]

An accomplished individual by all measures. Very interesting.

Roop