Theo Wildanger: Artist Biography & Creative Vision

Early Life

Theodore Wildanger was born May 25, 1905 in Aumetz in northeastern France. He was the youngest male child in a working-class family, where there were many mouths to feed.

As World War I began, Theo had to fend for himself at a very early age. He spent long days in the fields herding a farmer’s cows in exchange for his evening meal. As a teenager he worked in the iron ore mines where his father labored.

When a tram accident claimed part of his right hand, the young man decided that he would never again go down a mine shaft. This turning point eventually led him toward a different life path.

Life in Paris and Luxembourg

Theo married his one and only love, Anne-Marie Thekes, the daughter of wine growers along the Moselle River in Luxembourg. Anna’s family was not exactly thrilled by the union.

The young couple believed Paris offered better opportunities for their aspirations. Anna dreamed of becoming an actress, while Theo wanted to learn everything he could about art and artists. During this time he found work in an Italian count’s art gallery, where he gained exposure to the world of painting and collecting.

These years were likely the happiest period of their lives.

With the outbreak of World War II and the threat of conscription, the couple returned to Luxembourg, where they became successful shop owners. When Allied forces advanced across the Moselle River, Theo, Anna, and their young children were evacuated to Luxembourg City.

There Theo worked in the antiques trade and helped nurture the artistic talent of his eldest son, Mathis Wildanger.