American painter and commercial designer. He studied at the University of Houston between 1969 and 1973 and took part in the Whitney Museum Independent Study Program between 1973 and 1974. At the end of the 70s, Schnabel appeared as one of the main and most controversial figures in the New Image movement. He produced paintings and prints in an impetuous and dominating style, showing a familiarity with Expressionism. He had his first one- man show at the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston in 1978, which was followed by many others throughout Europe and the United States. In 1980, he took part in the Venice Biennale. Excessive attention means of communication obscured the seriousness of his work but, at the same time, guaranteed him a privileged place in the contemporary art market.
