Emil Schumacher (German, August 29, 1912–October 4, 1999) was born in Hagen, Germany. The Abstract Expressionist artist studied at School of Arts in Dortmund from 1932 to 1935. His earlier works show mainly Cubist-influenced landscapes. After World War II, he founded Junger Westen with artist colleagues. The group aimed to restore the connection to Modern Art, which was lost in the time of the Third Reich.
In the 1950s, Schumacher developed non-objective color-focused works. In 1955, he became famous through his first exhibitions. He achieved internal recognition as a result of his participation in Biennale di Venezia in 1961, and through his several documenta exhibitions. From 1958 to 1960, he held a professorship at Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg. Today, the artist’s works are held in various famous museums worldwide. In 1998, the German government commissioned him for a mural in the renovated Reichstag building in Berlin. Schumacher died one year later in Ibiza, Spain.