Emil Nolde (August 7, 1867 - April 15, 1956) was a German painter born as Emil Hansen in the village of Nolde, Germany, near the [present-day] German-Danish border. He died in Seebüll, Germany. Since 1902 he called himself after his birthplace. He was one of the first expressionists and is considered to be one of the great watercolor painters of the 20th century. He is known for his expressive choice of colors.
Between 1884 and 1891, he studied to become a carver and illustrator in Flensburg. He spent his years of travel in Munich, Karlsruhe and Berlin. From 1906 to 1907 he was a member of the artist group Brücke (bridge). During the government of the national socialist party, his works were forbidden, and he was not allowed to paint since 1941. His works were condemned as degenerate art by the Nazi regime.
Apart from paintings, Nolde's work includes color lithographs and watercolor paintings of various sizes, including landscapes, religious images, and scenes from the Berlin nightlife. A famous series of paintings covers the German New Guinea Expedition, visiting the South Seas, Moskow, Siberia, Korea, Japan, and China.