Fritz Harnest

Fritz Harnest (1905 in Munich, Germany – 1999 in Traunstein, Germany), was a German painter, printmaker and collage artist. He was a creator of abstract modern art in Germany after World War II.

Biography
Harnest studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich from 1921 to 1929. He travelled frequently to France in 1930–1931 with the German painter Otto Baumann. He ceased painting after the Nazi seizure of power but later resumed his career, creating woodcuts and murals. From 1940 to 1945 he worked as an interpreter in Stalag VII-A in Moosburg. In 1959 he was a participant of II. documenta in Kassel.

Honours

 * 1961: 2nd prize at the „II. Internationalen Triennale Grenchen“ for colored original graphics, Switzerland
 * 1969: medal of honor at the “Triennale Internazionale della Xilographia Contemporanea Capri”, Italy
 * 1996: Bundesverdienstkreuz der Bundesrepublik Deutschland