Seven-Year-Old German Painter Creates Paintings Worth Thousands of Dollars

A seven-year-old boy from Germany caught the art industry’s attention for his impressive paintings that sold for thousands of dollars. Mikail [MI-ka-il] Akar from Cologne [kuh-LOHN], Germany, has been dubbed by the local media as the “preschool Picasso.” Akar’s artwork has been compared to the paintings of Jackson Pollock [POL-uh k], a notable American artist of abstract expressionism. This art form is characterized by brush strokes created through expressive hand movements. Akar started painting after receiving a canvas and some handprint paints when he turned four. Akar’s father, who eventually became his manager, was not able to recognize the boy’s talent immediately. However, when the father saw the child’s second and third paintings, he became convinced that his son was gifted. The young artist’s paintings have been shown in several exhibits in his home country. Akar’s most recent paintings include a collaboration with German football star Manuel Neuer [NOH-yah]. One painting in this collaboration was sold for $12,000 and was donated to a children’s charity that Neuer supports. After his art exhibits in Germany, Akar will travel to Paris in spring for a public display of his masterpieces. Despite his early exposure to the world of art, Akar does not plan to become a painter when he grows up. The boy said he finds painting tiring because creating works of art is time-consuming. Akar dreams, instead, of becoming a professional football player. Akar’s father said that he and his wife make sure that their son is not overworked. According to the father, he turns down a lot of artwork requests so that the child will not be pushed too hard.