From the Vault: Elke Sommer

“I’d rather be known as a painter who acts than as an actress who paints” – Elke Sommer

Elke Sommer was born in 1942 in Germany. There, she was raised by her protestant pastor father, and mother, and studied painting under Peter Bina. This childhood would go on to heavily influence her artistic career.  By 1958, Sommer began to pick up acting jobs after meeting director Vittorio De Sica on holiday in Italy. Soon Elke Sommer became a popular actress, appearing in over 90 films and television shows. In 1964 she was awarded the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer Actress for her role in The Prize. In tandem with her acting career, in 1968 Sommer opened her first exhibition of artwork at Munich’s Galerie Schumacher. She has since gone on to exhibit both nationally and internationally.