Hohe Sturzwelle

Emil Nolde was one of the leading Expressionist painters and known for his expressive choice of colors. Although his works were confiscated as "degenerate art" and Nolde was banned from working, he was a racist, anti-Semite and staunch supporter of National Socialism.

Nolde - actually Hans Emil Hansen - was born the fourth of five children of the farmer Niels Hansen and his wife Hanna Christine in the village of Nolde near Tønder, in the German-Danish borderland in what was then German territory.

In 1884 - 1888, he completed an apprenticeship as a wood sculptor's assistant and draftsman, and continued his education in various arts and crafts and painting schools, as well as through self-study.

His repertoire includes watercolors, oil paintings, color lithographs and drawings with religious and folkloric motifs, flower and garden paintings, landscapes and city scenes.

On February 25, 1902 Nolde marries Ada (Adamine Frederikke) Vilstrup (* 20.09.1879) and in the course of the wedding he discards the name Hansen and names himself after his birthplace Nolde.

Literature of the artist

Letters from the years 1894-1926; 1927

The own life; 1931

Years of struggle; 1934

World and Homeland. The South Sea voyage 1913-1918; 1936

Travel, Ostracism, Liberation 1919-1946; 1967

My life; 1976