Kurt Schwitters

Born in Hanover, Germany, in 1887, Kurt Schwitters initially pursued Post-Impressionist painting after studying at the Dresden Academy. However, the tumultuous end of World War I dramatically shifted his artistic direction. He found inspiration in the wreckage of the era, stating, "Everything had broken down and new things had to be made out of the fragments; and this is Merz." This philosophy led to his groundbreaking collages, which he dubbed "Merz Pictures" after a fragme…