Austrian artist, Friedensrich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) paints eye-catching distortions and patterns in vibrant palettes based on Art Nouveau principles. Having lost 69 Jewish relatives during the Nazi rule, eventually he designed the Peace Flag for the Near East in 1978. Both Vienna and Syria decorated him with their Gold Medals of Honor. Often compared to Klimt and Schiele, the decorative and technical aspects of work flames controversy among critics yet he is exceedingly popular with people.