Koppel, Heinz

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KOPPEL, HEINZ

KOPPEL, HEINZ (1919–1980), painter. Koppel was born in Berlin, and went to London at the age of 16. He studied under the painter Martin *Bloch, who remained the principal influence in his work. After working intermittently in Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Belgium, he taught in art schools in England and in Wales, where he lived from 1944 to 1956 and again later in his life. His depictions of the Welsh landscape have a strongly mystical note, bordering on fantasy. German expressionism played its part in Koppel's art but his work, notably portraiture, is marked by great delicacy. His recent work includes experiments with different material, such as fiber glass and resin. He died in Dyfed.

[Charles Samuel Spencer]