In Honored Memory

Fritz Sydow was born in Düsseldorf, Germany. His education as an artist was made possible by a grant from the British Occupation Government in Hamburg following World War Il. Before that, he apprenticed under the renowned mural painter, Professor Gessl of Munich.

Later in life, as the owner of a travel bureau in Canada and then in the United States, Sydow became deeply fascinated with the architectural vistas of the cities he visited. A great admirer of the French painter Maurice Utrillo, he worked tirelessly to develop his own style of painting city scenes in oil on canvas.
During his last trip to Europe, he was profoundly inspired by the vibrant cityscapes of the Expressionist Oskar Kokoschka. Several of his paintings of European cities — including Hamburg and Cologne — clearly reflect this influence.

After moving to Hawaii, Fritz Sydow devoted himself to painting downtown and suburban scenes of Honolulu, including artistic reconstructions of buildings and views that have since disappeared. He exhibited his collections at various shopping centers on Oahu and welcomed visitors to his home studio on Lani Street in Kuliouou Valley. Through his art, he offered a colorful, lively, and enduring representation of Hawaii’s spirit.

He was married to Dr. Frances Sydow, co-founder of the Kahumana Community in Waianae, Hawaii.
Together, they were blessed with nine children and twenty-eight grandchildren.