Hans Ernest Unger
Hans Ernest Unger | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 August 1915 Prenzlau, Germany |
| Died | 1975 (aged 59–60) London, England |
| Occupations |
|
.jpg)
Hans Ernest Unger (8 August 1915 – 1975) was a German-born British poster artist, designer and mosaicist.
Early life
Unger was born in Prenzlau, Germany on 8 August 1915.[1][2] His father was a lawyer, and Hans studied medicine in Berlin until 1933 when Adolf Hitler became Chancellor.[3]
From 1934 to 1935, Unger studied poster design in Jupp Wiertz's studio in Berlin.[4] As he was of Jewish heritage, Unger left Nazi Germany and moved to South Africa in 1936.[1] He worked for the Cape Times, and won two poster competitions in South Africa, for the Post Office and the Port Elizabeth Travel Association.[3]
Second World War
During the Second World War, he joined the South African Army, and in 1942 was taken prisoner in Tobruk, Libya.[1] He escaped from a prisoner of war camp in northern Italy, and crossed the Pyrenees to Spain and thence Portugal, but lost several toes from frostbite.[1] In 1944, he was awarded the Military Medal.[1]
Career
In 1948, he moved to London and became a British citizen. As a designer, he worked extensively for London Transport, and the General Post Office and other companies.[1]
Personal life
Unger did not have any children himself, but was a close friend of fellow poster artist Abram Games, whose children called him "Uncle".[3] He died in London in 1975.[2]
Legacy
His work is in the permanent collections of the V&A,[5] and the London Transport Museum.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Hans Unger: the multi-dimensional poster artist, London Transport Museum". www.ltmuseum.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 "England and Wales, Death Registration Index 1837-2007". familysearch.org. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Games, Naomi (14 September 2015). "Hans Unger centenary exhibition". Eye Magazine. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hans Ernest Unger, 1915–1975". ArtUK. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
- ↑ "Poster advertising factory cleanliness by Hans Unger issued by the Danish Bacon Company, probably for use in Britain, 1957". V&A. Retrieved 10 May 2026.