A Life in Düsseldorf
Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, Heinz May was a painter who studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 1901 to 1909. During his time at the academy, he was a student of Willy Spatz and later became a master student under Claus Meyer. His artistic journey led him toward the anti-academic painters of the Sonderbund, including Walter Ophey. The two shared a studio in a building at Drakeplatz 4 in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel, a location later associated with Joseph Beuys. May’s career saw significant milestones, such as being signed by the gallerist Alfred Flechtheim in 1914, though his progress was interrupted by military service during the First World War.
Artistic Circles and Challenges
May was deeply embedded in the vibrant art scene of his time, becoming a founding member of the Künstlervereinigung Das Junge Rheinland. He was also part of the "Mutter Ey" circle, centered around the art dealer Johanna Ey. Later, he helped found the Rheingruppe and served as the chairman of the Rheinische Sezession from 1932 to 1933. His work faced severe hardship during the era of National Socialism; in 1933, he was subject to an exhibition ban, and in 1937, his paintings were confiscated and destroyed by the authorities as "Entartete Kunst." Tragically, much of his life's work was lost when his studio was destroyed by a bombing raid in Düsseldorf in 1943.
Following the war, May participated in exhibitions at the Galerie Nebelung and the Galerie Der Spiegel. He also held a teaching position at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 1949 to 1950. His later years included travels to Italy, Paris, Austria, Holland, and Spain.
