Karel Appel (1921–2006) was a pioneering Dutch painter, sculptor, and co-founder of the CoBrA movement, which sought to break away from traditional artistic conventions after World War II. Born in Amsterdam, Appel studied at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, where he was influenced by European modernists like Picasso and Matisse. In 1948, Appel and a group of avant-garde artists from Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam formed CoBrA, a movement defined by spontaneous, raw expression inspired by the art of children and primitive cultures.
Appel’s work is marked by bold, expressive colors and vigorous brushstrokes. His paintings often evoke a sense of childlike innocence, yet are charged with emotional intensity. He famously described his approach as, "I paint like a barbarian in a barbaric time," reflecting the chaotic energy that characterizes his art.
Over the course of his career, Appel became an internationally acclaimed artist, with exhibitions in prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. His large-scale murals, sculptures, and paintings continue to influence the world of abstract expressionism. Karel Appel remains celebrated for his ability to capture raw emotion and challenge conventional artistic boundaries.