Ulfert Wilke (1907–1987) was an internationally recognized German-born American painter, museum director and art collector connected to the abstract expressionism movement.
He is best known for his large canvas paintings and highly detailed lithographs that were inspired by calligraphic writing.
Wilke was deeply intrigued by the written language, and much of his work was derived from his abstract interpretation of the shapes, colors and meanings of writing that he found in all languages and forms, including the poetry and ancient engravings of Asia and the Middle East.
Wilke studied art at Harvard on a Carnegie scholarship before being drafted into the US Army in 1942.
He maintained close relationships with many famed artist colleagues including Ad Reinhardt, Julius Bissier [de], George Rickey, Mark Rothko, Lyonel Feininger, Max Beckmann, Mark Tobey, Kenzo Okada, Robert Motherwell and David Smith.