Origins & Early Life

Emil Nolde (born Hans Emil Hansen; 7 August 1867 – 13 April 1956) was a German painter and printmaker. He was one of the first Expressionists, a member of Die Brücke, and was one of the first oil painting and watercolor painters of the early 20th century to explore color. He is known for his brushwork and expressive choice of colors. Golden yellows and deep reds appear frequently in his work, giving a luminous quality to otherwise somber tones.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His watercolors include vivid, brooding storm-scapes and brilliant florals. Nolde's intense preoccupation with the subject of flowers reflected his interest in the art of Vincent van Gogh. Even though his art was included in the Entartete Kunst exhibition of 1937, Nolde was a member of the Nazi Party, with racist and antisemitic views, and a staunch supporter of Nazi Germany. Emil Nolde was born as Hans Emil Hansen, near the village of Nolde (since 1920 part of the municipality of Burkal in Southern Jutland, Denmark), in the Duchy of Schleswig. He grew up on a farm.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His parents, devout Protestants, were Danish and Frisian peasants. He realized his unsuitability for farm life, and that he and his three brothers were not at all...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Bassermann — Contemporary (Born in 1867) (1867): Esteemed German stage and screen actor, celebrated for his dramatic versatility.
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• A. A. Milne — Contemporary (Died in 1956) (1956): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Alan Davis — Contemporary (Born in 1956) (1956): English comic book writer and artist known for Captain Britain and X-Men work.
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• Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor — Shared historical date (08-07 · Died) (1106): Holy Roman Emperor, King of Germany, and pivotal figure in the Investiture Controversy.
• Al Green — Shared historical date (04-13 · Born) (1946): Iconic American soul singer, songwriter, and pastor celebrated for his timeless vocal artistry.
• Al-Karaji — Shared historical date (04-13 · Born) (953): Pioneering 10th-century Persian mathematician and engineer who advanced algebra.
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