Max Frey (April 16, 1874 – March 11, 1944) was a German painter and graphic artist associated with the Symbolism[1] and New Objectivity movements.

Some of his works contained elements of magical realism He was born to a family of merchants and began his education at the Arts and Crafts school in Karlsruhe.

For a short time, he worked as a theater painter in Berlin then, from 1893–1903 studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe[2] under Ferdinand Keller, Gustav Schönleber and Leopold von Kalckreuth.

In 1907, he became a teacher in graphic design and painting at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts and taught a newly created class especially for women.

[3] His other students included Hans Grundig, Willy Wolff and Oscar Cahén.