Ernst Wilhelm Nay

Ernst Wilhelm Nay, a pivotal figure in German post-war art, transformed from early landscapes to dynamic 'Scheibenbilder' of colorful discs.

ABOUT

Born in Berlin in 1902, Ernst Wilhelm Nay's artistic journey began autodidactically, painting self-portraits and landscapes. His talent was recognized by Karl Hofer, who gave him a scholarship to the College of Fine Arts in Berlin in 1924. After completing his studies in 1928, Nay embarked on study trips to Paris and Bornholm, where he created his 'beach pictures.' A Villa Massimo Fellowship in Rome in 1931–32 led to small, surrealist-abstract works like 'Large shell with me…

Read Ernst's full story in Art Whisper

NOTABLE WORKS

Ostseedünen 1935 · Städel Museum Departure of the Fishermen 1936 · Sprengel Museum Fishermen Setting Sail 1937 · Städel Museum Kvinne i båt 1937 · National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design People in Landscape 1939 · Sprengel Museum Harp playing David 1948 · Sprengel Museum

See all of Ernst's works in Art Whisper

INFLUENCES

Influenced by

Henri MatisseFauvism Karl HoferExpressionism Edvard MunchSymbolism / Expressionism