Erich Kahn

Erich Kahn

(b. 1904 Stuttgart, Germany – immigrated to Great Britain 1939 – d. 1979 London, England)

Composition Oil on canvas 126.5 x 101.5 cm Ben Uri Collection Gift

This vibrant abstract is from the artist’s postwar period. Kahn fled Germany in 1939 after his release from the Welzheim concentration camp, immigrating to England with the help of relatives. He was subsequently interned in the so-called ‘Artists’ Camp’ at Hutchinson on the Isle of Man with Kurt Schwitters, among others. After release, although an isolated figure, he continued painting, attending life classes held by former fellow-internee Paul Hamann and was greatly respected by his peers. He was supported by the eminent Czech émigré art historian J. P. Hodin (1905–1995).