15 Facts About Hans Hartung

Hans Hartung was a German-French painter, known for his gestural abstract style.

Hans Hartung was a decorated World War II veteran of the Legion d'honneur.

Hans Hartung developed an early appreciation of Rembrandt, German painters such as Lovis Corinth, and the Expressionists Oskar Kokoschka and Emil Nolde.

Hans Hartung subsequently studied at the Fine Arts academy of Dresden, where he copied the paintings of the masters.

In Paris, Hans Hartung had little contact with other artists and copied the works of old and modern masters.

Hans Hartung visited the south of France, where the landscape inspired him to a close study of the works of Cezanne, and he developed a great interest in principles of harmony and proportion such as the golden section.

Hans Hartung exhibited for the first time in 1931 in Dresden.

Hans Hartung was able to flee the country with the help of his friend Christian Zervos.

Hans Hartung's paintings were becoming more abstract and did not sell well.

Hans Hartung's friends tried to help him with his financial difficulties, and the sculptor Julio Gonzalez offered him the use of his studio.

Hans Hartung was closely followed by the Gestapo and arrested for seven months by the French police.

Hans Hartung earned French citizenship in 1945, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre.

In 1957, Hans Hartung was the first painter to receive the Rubens Prize of the City of Siegen.

Hans Hartung was featured in the 1963 film documentary School of Paris: by American filmmaker Warren Forma.

Hans Hartung died on 7 December 1989, in Antibes, France.