Nolde

Emil Nolde (1867–1956) was a German-Danish painter and printmaker who is considered one of the earliest and most influential figures of German Expressionism. He produced a prolific body of work in painting, watercolors, woodcuts and etchings, spanning landscapes, seascapes, flower studies, and intense religious scenes.

Nolde is especially noted for his bold use of color, strong contrasts, and expressive brushwork, qualities that pushed beyond naturalistic representation. His subjects often conveyed spiritual or emotional intensity, and he frequently worked in a loose, direct style that emphasized pigment and mood.

Although closely associated with the Expressionist milieu, Nolde worked largely independently and did not fit neatly into any single movement. His practice contributed to the diffusion of Expressionist ideas across northern Europe, influencing younger artists and the broader modernist scene.

During the 1930s, the Nazi regime condemned his work as degenerate art. In 1937 numerous Nolde works were confiscated from German museums and included in the Degenerate Art exhibition; the regime also restricted his ability to exhibit publicly during the later years of the Third Reich. He continued to paint, often in private, and his standing recovered after World War II.

Today Nolde is recognized as a major figure in modern art. His works are held in major museums worldwide, and the Nolde Foundation in Germany preserves his studio and archives, supporting research and exhibitions of his art.