17 Facts About Horst Janssen

Horst Janssen was a German draftsman, printmaker, poster artist and illustrator.

Horst Janssen had a prolific output of drawings, etchings, woodcuts, lithographs and wood engravings.

Horst Janssen's life was marked by numerous marriages, outspoken opinions, alcoholism, and selfless dedication to the art of printmaking.

Horst Janssen's mother, Martha Janssen, was a dressmaker from Oldenburg; he never knew his father.

Horst Janssen was adopted by his grandfather, and following his death, he was adopted by the Guardianship Court in 1939.

Horst Janssen lived with his Aunt Anna on for the remainder of the war and the postwar period.

In 1946, at the age of sixteen, Horst Janssen enrolled at the in Hamburg, where he studied with Alfred Mahlau, proving to be an outstanding pupil from the outset.

Horst Janssen's first publication was a drawing in the weekly newspaper in 1947.

Horst Janssen was found innocent of the charge, but received a suspended sentence for drunkenness.

Horst Janssen was able to create his first lithographs using the technical equipment of the Aschaffenburger Buntpapierfabrik.

Horst Janssen changed a lithograph by Oskar Kokoschka, picturing himself upright, the other of two figures kneeling, titled "".

Horst Janssen gained recognition and had an exhibition in Hanover in the Hans Brockstedt Gallery in 1957.

Horst Janssen's art was now influenced by art brut and Jean Dubuffet.

In 1964, Horst Janssen was awarded the Darmstadt Art Prize.

Horst Janssen's works were seen in the tradition of Goya, Ensor, Klinger, Munch, Redon and Kubin.

Horst Janssen won first prize for graphic art at the 1968 Venice Biennale.

Horst Janssen died in Hamburg on 31 August 1995 and was buried in Oldenburg in Gertruden Cemetery.