1933-1936 study of art history and archaeology in Berlin and Göttingen. 1936-1940 first assistant at the Kunsthistorische Institut in Florence. 1937 Entry into the NSDAP.

1940-1946 military service and captivity. From 1946 employee of the weekly newspaper "Die Zeit", from 1948 employee of Bayerischer Rundfunk, series "Kultur und Kritik". 1949/50 stay in Italy. 1951-1955 lecturer in art history at the Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg. 1954 reference work "Painting in the 20th century" (multiple editions). 1954-1967 study visits to Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Switzerland, USA. 1967-1974 director of the Nationalgalerie Berlin (West). From 1974 freelance art writer.

Member of numerous juries and commissions, numerous prizes and honors. Most influential art historical co-curator for Arnold Bodes. First documenta: "working committee", documenta 2: "painting and sculpture committee"; documenta 3: "documenta Council", "painting and sculpture committee", "free drawing working committee".