Hofmann, << HOF muhn, >> Hans (1880-1966), became famous for his abstract painting. His work as an artist and teacher greatly influenced the development of abstract art in the United States, especially after World War II (1939-1945).
Hofmann was familiar with the early modern art movements, such as Cubism, Expressionism, and Fauvism. He used elements from them in his own varied works. Generally, his paintings are exceptionally active, with brilliant colors and swiftly moving lines, and sometimes very thick surfaces. Hofmann’s advice to his students to be attentive to elements of “push and pull” in composition characterizes his work.
Hofmann was born on March 21, 1880, in Weissenburg, Germany, near Nuremberg. In 1934, Hofmann opened an art school in New York City. He died on Feb. 17, 1966.
