Josef Albers was an abstract artist known for his use of geometric shapes and vibrant colors. He was born in Germany in 1888 and studied at the Bauhaus school of art. He is best known for his series of paintings titled 'Homage to the Square' which explored the effects of color on perception. Albers was also a professor at Yale University and wrote several books on art theory. His work has been exhibited in galleries around the world and continues to influence modern art.