A Life of Maritime Artistry Born in Wolgast, Germany, Willy Stöwer was the son of a sea captain. Though he originally trained as a metalworker and worked as a technician in the engineering offices of various German shipyards, he eventually received commissions as a draftsman, illustrator, and painter. His talent was recognized early, and his painting technique was self-taught. Following his marriage to Henrietta Dettmann in 1892, he was able to devote himself exclusively to his work as an artist. Stöwer became a prolific creator between 1892 and 1929, producing approximately 900 black-and-whi…