Karel Appel (1921-2006) was a Dutch painter, sculptor, and poet who is best known for his distinctive style of abstract expressionism. He was a founding member of the CoBrA group, a collective of European artists who sought to break away from traditional artistic conventions and embrace spontaneity and intuition. 

Appel's work is characterized by bold, vibrant colors and a childlike, playful quality. His paintings often feature thick, gestural brushstrokes and primitive, almost cartoonish figures that convey a sense of raw energy and emotion. He drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including African art, graffiti, and the work of fellow CoBrA members like Asger Jorn and Pierre Alechinsky. Despite his rejection of traditional artistic norms, Appel achieved great critical and commercial success throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honors, including the UNESCO Prize at the Venice Biennale in 1954 and the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands in 1990. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. 

Today, Appel is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th century, and his influence can be seen in the work of countless contemporary painters and sculptors. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists to embrace the freedom and spontaneity that he championed throughout his life.