Willy von Beckerath

Willy von Beckerath (28 September 1868 – 10 May 1938) was a German painter and art professor associated with the Düsseldorfer Malerschule. He was primarily known for portraits, landscapes and murals. From 1902, he was instrumental in the formation of the Deutsche Werkstätten Hellerau. He designed furniture and furnishings for churches. From 1907 to 1931, he was professor at the Staatliche Kunstgewerbeschule in Hamburg (now University of Fine Arts of Hamburg), where he decorated a new assembly hall with a monumental mural over three of its walls, (The Eternal Wave).

Life and work Von Beckerath was born in Krefeld. His family was involved in the textile industry. They were friends of Johannes Brahms, and Von Beckerath painted several portraits of the composer.