KEIM. THE PAINT OF KINGS
KEIM has a documented heritage of preserving historic masonry, but our history began with a king’s desire for a paint that could endure the harsh weather of the Alps while displaying the soft, chalky appearance of colorful lime frescoes of Italy. King Ludwig II of Bavaria, known for his extravagant castles, wanted to bring the subtle beauty of lime frescoes from the Mediterranean region to Bavaria. As a patron of the arts, he issued an order to chemists of the era and inspired Adolph Wilhelm Keim.
In 1878 he was awarded a patent for his research and invention of silicate paints. Our heritage is closely linked to royalty and castles, and here are a few remarkable examples of preservation from Keim’s 140-year history.
Above and right images are Schloss Linderhof, one of Ludwig II’s castles, and the only one he resided in. Its exterior has been decorated and protected with KEIM Granital for decades. One of three castles undertaken by Ludwig II, his most famous castle, Neuschwanstein, is pictured below. Unfortunately, he passed before the completion of his masterpiece.
Official portrait by Ferdinand von Piloty, source: Wikipedia
Schloss Hohenschwangau is a 19th-century palace built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria. It was the boyhood home of his son, Ludwig II. For generations, mineral silicate paint from KEIM has provided its glowing yellow exterior. Note in the image at left, the proximity to Neuschwanstein, just behind it in the Algau region of Bavaria.
FEATURED COLLECTION OF CASTLES
The compelling story of Adolph Wilhelm Keim and King Ludwig II, is just the beginning. Here is a collection of some of our favorite historic castles where KEIM has provided preservation paints and services through the years.
Schwerin Palace, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Duitsland, Germany finished with KEIM Granital
Here and below right: Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, west façade
Here and below: Schönbrunner Schlosspark, Vienna, Austria
Palace Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
Schloss Seehof, Memmelsdorf, Germany
Here and below: Stadtschloss Humboldt Forum, Berlin, Germany
Hartekamp, Heemstede, North Holland