Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach

Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, (1851-1913) a German symbolist, artist ¹ Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach considered by some to be the founder of naturism.

After a revelation at Hohenpeissenberg, Diefenbach returned to social engagement a changed person. Wearing just a robe, he began to  promote alternative life principles and practices that created the foundations of the Lebensreform and FKK movements that later formed the basis for naturism. ² When the “Kohlrabi Apostle” dreamed of paradise

Diefenbach established a commune the Himmelhof in 1897. Twenty-four people lived there, including Gusto Gräser, who would later help to found Monte Verita. ³ Diefenbach and his Time Diefenbach’s teachings walking barefoot, veganism and vegetarianism, exercise unclothed out doors and specific types loose clothing  influenced later pioneers of the German naturism (FKK) and the Lebensreform movement like Ida Hofmann who confounded Mount of Truth (Monte Verita) and Adolf Koch founder of the Koch Institute who sought to integrate the principles in education.⁴ Diefenbach and his Time

Though Diefenbach’s alternative way of life engendered some suspicion in German society his artwork drew considerable interest. ⁵ Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach German Painter, Symbolist and Naturalist

References

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   Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach
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  When the “Kohlrabi Apostle” dreamed of paradise
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  Diefenbach and his Time
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  Diefenbach and his Time
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  Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach German Painter, Symbolist and Naturalist