Ernst Wilhelm Nay

Ernst Wilhelm Nay (1902–1968) was a leading German abstract painter whose work evolved from figurative expressionism to a highly distinctive style of lyrical abstraction characterized by bold, rhythmic arrangements of disc-like forms and vibrant color. Influenced by Paul Klee and Edvard Munch, he developed a unique visual language that placed color as the primary expressive element, culminating in his celebrated 'Disc Paintings' of the 1950s and 1960s. Nay is regarded as one of the most important figures in postwar European abstract art, bridging German Expressionism and international abstraction.