Hans Schwarz

Painter, sculptor, illustrator and author, Hans Schwarz came to Britain from German-occupied Austria in 1939, his escape made possible by the Kindertransport [chidren's transport] rescue operation. He studied at Birmingham College of Art and went on to pursue a career in graphic design and illustration, whilst also teaching in various art schools. In the 1960s he took up painting and sculpture full-time and became a portrait painter, his work characterised by the use of bold colour. He was heavily influenced by fellow artist Oskar Kokoschka. Alongside portraits, Schwarz painted landscapes in London and Somerset and wrote several books on painting and drawing.

Text © National Portrait Gallery, London