Hans Hartung (1904-1989)
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Hans Hartung was an Abstract artist born in Germany and moved to Paris in 1935. Originally, Hartung studied philosophy and art history, but began painting in 1922 and created his own style of Abstract art. His first exhibition was in Dresden in 1931, and signaled the beginning of his career.
Hartung was called to fight in World War II and was very badly injured while on active duty in 1944. His injuries were so severe that one of his legs had to be amputated—without the use of anesthesia. Shortly thereafter in 1945, Hartung gained French citizenship.
After the war, Hartung created and was the leader of the Art Informel movement. Aptly so, Hartung is also one of the only painters to have spent his entire career painting in this style. Though a lesser known artist than Picasso or Kandinsky, Hartung did not just experiment with Abstract art, but made it his one and only style. In fact, to find a piece of art by Hartung that is not in an “Informal” style would be a rare find. However, these early works could possibly exist somewhere in Germany and would probably be in the style of the Impressionists or Expressionists.
Hartung did, however, experiment within the Abstract realm quite often. If he wasn’t creating lined compositions, he was experimenting with Chinese calligraphy and brush strokes. These oriental inspired pieces are perhaps some of his most famous, and are usually characterized by thick black swooshes and slashes on monochromatic backgrounds.
Throughout his life, Hartung exhibited his work widely in Europe in Paris, Munich and Brussels. He also won a number of prizes, such as the Venice Biennale in 1960. Perhaps one of his most widely known commercial pieces was his poster designs for the 1972 Olympics.
In 1976, Hartung also published a book of his memoirs entitled “Autoportrait”, and became a member of the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1981. He continued to create art nearly up until his death in 1989.
Still wondering about your interesting and mysterious piece of Abstract art? Contact us—it could be by Hans Hartung.
