Biography

Hans Hartung (1904–1989) was a French painter, born in Germany, whose dynamic and gestural abstract style established him as a central figure in 20th-century art. Born on September 21, 1904, in Leipzig, Germany, into an artistic family and with a rich educational background (proficient in Latin and Greek), Hartung was exposed early on to the works of Rembrandt and German Expressionists such as Oskar Kokoschka and Emil Nolde, which deeply influenced his artistic trajectory.

In 1924, he began studying philosophy and art history at the University of Leipzig and later attended the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. His exposure to French surrealism, cubism, and French and Spanish artworks at the International Art Exhibition in Dresden in 1926 was pivotal, fueling his interest in abstraction and prompting his move to Paris to immerse himself in the avant-garde movements of the time. He was particularly drawn to the works of Matisse, Braque, and Picasso, whom he admired most.[1] In 1929, he married Anna-Eva Bergman, whom he divorced in 1938 but remarried in 1957. The couple moved to Antibes in 1973, where they designed their home and studios, which later became the Hartung-Bergman Foundation.

During his early years in Paris, Hartung meticulously studied the works of both old and contemporary masters. The landscapes of southern France, combined with the compositional harmony of Paul Cézanne, profoundly inspired him. Influenced by mathematics and specifically the “golden ratio,” he incorporated principles of balance into his compositions, blending improvisation with calculated design. The rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, which labeled his abstract style as “degenerate art,” forced him to seek refuge in France. During World War II, Hartung demonstrated remarkable resilience, enlisting in the French Foreign Legion, where he sustained severe injuries, losing one of his legs. After great suffering and despite losing many of his significant works to bombings and war destruction,[2] his courage was rewarded by gaining French citizenship in 1945 and honored with the Croix de Guerre.

The post-war period marked a highly creative phase in his career. Despite initial struggles, collectors and critics began to recognize his art. His works, characterized by bold, calligraphic brushstrokes and a masterful interplay of line and color, gained international acclaim. The fluidity with which his ideas translated onto canvas, the sense of scale in his paintings, and the dominance of line defined the style of an artist who became a prominent figure of his time.[3] In 1960, Hartung was awarded the International Painting Prize at the Venice Biennale, solidifying his influence on the abstract movement. His innovative techniques, including the use of fast-drying acrylics, vinyl paints, and tools for scraping and spraying, enabled him to achieve a dynamic balance between spontaneity and precision. Spraying, in particular, became a means of creative neutrality, using a hand-operated tool that responded to the subtlest movements of his hand, especially in his later years.

Hartung's artistic philosophy centered on the power of gesture, with each stroke conveying deep emotional weight and each approach shaping the final outcome in a unique way. This philosophy positioned him as a leading figure of lyrical abstraction, influencing subsequent generations of artists exploring human experience through abstract forms. In his later years, despite health challenges, his creative fervor remained undiminished. Confined to a wheelchair following a stroke in 1986, he continued to produce significant large-scale works, collaborating with assistants to bring his vision to life while staying true to his distinctive style. Throughout his career, he embraced his revolutionary nature, rejecting certainty and constantly experimenting with new and diverse approaches.[4]

Hans Hartung passed away on December 7, 1989, in Antibes, France. His legacy endures through his contributions to abstract art, with his works housed in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Gallery in London. His relentless quest for balance between spontaneity and structure remains a source of inspiration for the artistic community.

Georgia Dimopoulou

Classics Scholar – Editor

[1] Hans Hartung: Fêtes d’Automne, 17/09/1988 – 23/10/1988, Paris, 1988.

[2] Wat P., Hans Hartung – Painting as Memory, Paris, 2019, p. 105.

[3] Mundy Jennifer, Hans Hartung – Works on Paper 1922-56, London, 1996, p. 39.

[4] Bertrand Dorléac Laurence, “Germany and France: Two Parts in One” in Hans Hartung: 10 Perspectives, Milan, 2006, p. 188.