Wols

Wols, also known as Alfred Otto Wolfgang Schulze, was a German artist known for his abstract expressionist paintings and drawings. Born in Berlin, he began his artistic career as a photographer and graphic designer, working for magazines and newspapers.

During World War II, Wols was drafted into the German army, but he was captured by the French in 1940 and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war. It was during this time that he began to experiment with painting and drawing, using whatever materials he could find, including scraps of paper and pencil shavings.

After the war, Wols moved to Paris, where he quickly became associated with the city's vibrant art scene. He began to create works that were heavily influenced by the abstract expressionist movement, and his paintings and drawings often featured frenetic, swirling lines and bold, gestural marks.

Despite his short career, Wols had a significant impact on the art world, and his works continue to be admired for their energy and spontaneity. He died tragically young, at the age of 38, from a combination of alcoholism and tuberculosis, but his legacy as one of the pioneers of abstract expressionism remains strong to this day.