Kurt Pallmann was a well-known German painter, graphic artist and Doctor of Philosophy. He was born in Berlin and became famous for his depiction of city landmarks. He was fascinated by the narrow streets of German cities, their squat architecture and restrained colors. The artist came to Königsberg several times and created many sketches of different parts of the historical center of the city. He was particularly interested in the island of Kneiphof, which is now named after the famous philosopher and is called the island of Immanuel Kant.

Pallmann always thoroughly represented the image of the city. In the painting Winter in Königsberg the artist depicted a view of the Pregol arch, which is located on the corner of At the Blue Tower and the Magister Street, and part of the facade of the Cathedral. He masterfully conveyed the peaceful atmosphere of the Baltic city: the color of the winter sky covered with clouds smoothly passes on the walls of houses, light glimmers faintly in the windows, only a couple of passers-by can be seen on the streets.

The picture is made in line with the realistic tradition. The concise and unassuming landscape is imbued with a lyrical mood. The artist conveyed the atmosphere and colors of the winter Königsberg with great authenticity. Attentiveness and devotion of the master to the urban landscape can be felt in the painting.

The place chosen by Pallman is remarkable for many reasons. Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, lived in this part of Königsberg for some time in the 1750s. And at the end of the 19th century the famous artist Lovis Corinth who also captured many colorful corners of the city settled here and began to study drawing. The Cathedral is seen in the distant view of the painting through the Pregol Arch.

Here was At the Blue Tower street, which got its name after one of three towers of the city wall in the south of Kneiphof. In Pallmann’s time there was a motorcycle repair shop and a wholesale warehouse selling vegetables and fruits. The island of Kneiphof had a dense development, which was also shown by the artist. He managed to preserve for posterity the memory of the original architecture of the island, which was destroyed during the bombing of the city by English aircraft in August 1944.