Willy Hanft

1888 - 1987

Essentials

  • Nationality: Germany
  • Art period: Modern
  • Died: 1987
  • Born: 1888, Hanover, Germany
  • Top 3 works: Sudetendeutscher Bauernhof

The Life and Artistic Path of Willy Hanft

Willy Hanft was a German painter born in Hanover. His formal artistic training began when he attended the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 1908 to 1913, studying under professors Adolf Männchen, Willy Spatz, and Dietrich. Throughout his career, his work was characterized by a focus on landscapes, views, and still lifes. He was a regular participant in the Große Deutsche Kunstausstellung between 1938 and 1944.

His professional life saw him working in various locations, including Dresden and Düsseldorf between 1920 and approximately 1940. Following this period, he worked as a freelance artist in Dresden from 1945 to 1952. In 1947, he took part in the 1. Kunstausstellung des Kreises Pirna. Later in life, he resided in the Oststadt of Hannover before moving to Nuremberg, where he passed away.

Artistic Subjects and Techniques

Hanft primarily utilized oil painting to capture the natural world and domestic arrangements. His landscape works spanned numerous regions, including the Alps, the Black Forest, the Lake District, and the Dolomites. He frequently depicted mountain scenes, such as the Matterhorn and the Watzmann, as well as various valleys and lakes like the Alpsee and Wolfgangsee. His views also extended to the North Sea coast and the Lüneburg Heath.

In addition to his expansive landscapes, Hanft was a dedicated painter of still lifes. His compositions often featured:

Questions & Answers

Is there a 3D virtual tour of Willy Hanft's works?

Willy Hanft's artworks can be seen in a 3D gallery on the artist's 3D Museum page.

Where is Willy Hanft from?

Willy Hanft was born in Germany.

Can I explore Willy Hanft's works by subject?

The Subject Atlas page maps Willy Hanft's artworks by subject.

Is there a chronological account of Willy Hanft?

A chronological account of Willy Hanft's work is available on the artist's Chronicle page, where the artworks pass in order of creation, chapter by chapter.

Test your eye

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
In which city was Willy Hanft born?
Question 2:
Which art academy did Willy Hanft attend from 1908 to 1913?
Question 3:
What was Willy Hanft's preferred painting medium?
Question 4:
Which of these was a primary subject of Hanft's work?
Question 5:
In which year did Willy Hanft die?