Joseph Beuys

Born in Krefeld, Germany, in 1921, Joseph Beuys developed an early interest in art, natural sciences, and Nordic mythology. His childhood in Kleve saw him salvage a book from a Nazi book-burning and, at 15, participate in the Hitler Youth. Despite considering a medical career, Beuys's path to art began to solidify, even as he volunteered for the Luftwaffe in 1941, training as a radio operator and serving as a rear-gunner in a Ju 87 'Stuka' dive-bomber. The most pivotal event…