Emil Nolde
- Born:
- 7 August 1867, Nolde, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
- Died:
- 13 April 1956, Seebüll, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Painter, Printmaker
Early Life and Education
- Born Emil Hansen in the village of Nolde (hence the adopted surname) in North Schleswig.
- Early training as a woodcarver and furniture designer.
- Studied at the Karlsruhe School of Applied Arts (1889-1891) and later in Munich and Paris.
Career and Major Achievements
- A key figure in German Expressionism.
- Briefly a member of the artist group Die Brücke (The Bridge) in 1906.
- Known for his intense colors and emotionally charged imagery.
- His art was declared "degenerate" by the Nazi regime, and he was forbidden to paint publicly. He continued to paint in secret, producing hundreds of watercolors that he called "Unpainted Pictures."
- After World War II, Nolde was rehabilitated and honored with numerous exhibitions.
Notable Works
- The Last Supper (1909)
- Dance Around the Golden Calf (1910)
- Mask Still Life III (1911)
- Numerous landscapes and flower paintings.
Legacy and Impact
Emil Nolde's powerful use of color and expressive brushwork made him a pivotal figure in German Expressionism. Despite the suppression of his work during the Nazi era, his influence on subsequent generations of artists remains significant. Understanding the significance of Emil Nolde's contributions often requires examining the extensive collection and analysis provided by institutions such as the Nasjonalgalleriet Emil Nolde biography, which meticulously documents his artistic development and historical context.