1936
Born in Heppenheim, Hesse
1957
Began his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe
1957–1959
First teaching post as Professor of Painting at the Karlsruhe Academy, marking his early artistic engagement with the institution
1950s
Development of early work combining informal painting with figurative elements, situated at the intersection of abstraction and representational art
1961
Awarded the ‘Junger Westen’ Art Prize by the City of Recklinghausen
1962
Awarded the Villa Romana Prize, which included a working residency in Florence
1964
Participated in the documenta in Kassel (further participations in 1968 and 1977)
1966
Awarded the Prize for Painting at the 33rd Venice Biennale
1967–1968
Visiting professor at the Berlin University of the Arts
1977–1979
Member of the Executive Board of the German Artists’ Association
1984–2000
Returned as Professor of Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe
1992
Grand Prize at the São Paulo Biennial