The paintings of the frustrated artist in Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street (1945) were actually by John Decker. It was an appropriate credit: Decker himself had been a talented forger, a convicted criminal, and one of the most colourful figures in wartime Hollywood, painting portraits of Errol Flynn, Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo and the Marx Brothers while maintaining three simultaneous marriages.
Key facts
- Lived
- 1895–1947, German
- Movement
Biography
He was born Leopold von der Decken in Berlin in 1895. As a teenager in London he painted theatre scenery until the First World War, when he was arrested as an enemy alien and interned on the Isle of Man. In 1921 he changed his name and emigrated to America, working as a cartoonist for the New York Evening World before moving to Hollywood in 1928.
His portrait of his drinking companion W.C. Fields as Queen Victoria hung for years at Chasen's Restaurant. He could reproduce Old Masters convincingly enough to sell forgeries for substantial sums, a talent that landed him in jail but also funded his lifestyle. He was born Leopold von der Decken in Berlin, the son of a minor aristocratic family, and his ability to mimic artistic styles ranged from convincing Old Master pastiches to sharp caricatures for newspapers. He died in 1947, at fifty-one, of stomach ulcers aggravated by years of drinking with Fields, John Barrymore and the rest of Hollywood's self-destructive circle.
Timeline
- 1895Born Leopold von der Decken in Berlin, the son of a Prussian count and a British opera singer. The family fled to Brixton, London, to escape social censure.
- 1914At 19, arrested in London as an enemy alien at the outbreak of World War I and interned on the Isle of Man, interrupting his early career painting theatre scenery.
- 1921At 26, changed his name to John Decker and emigrated to America, working as a cartoonist for the New York Evening World.
- 1928At 33, moved to Hollywood and took up fine art, quickly attracting commissions from film stars including Errol Flynn, Charlie Chaplin, and Greta Garbo.
- 1940At 45, became a central figure in the "Bundy Drive Boys", a hard-drinking circle that included W.C. Fields, John Barrymore, and Errol Flynn in Hollywood.
- 1945At 50, his paintings appeared in Fritz Lang's film Scarlet Street, used as the works of the fictional frustrated artist protagonist.
- 1947Died aged 51 in Hollywood from years of heavy drinking. His portrait of W.C. Fields as Queen Victoria hung for decades at Chasen's Restaurant in West Hollywood.
Related Artists
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was john decker?
John Decker was a German-born artist who painted portraits of Hollywood celebrities such as Errol Flynn, Charlie Chaplin, and the Marx Brothers. Born Leopold von der Decken, he was also known for his ability to create convincing forgeries of Old Master paintings.How did John Decker die?
John Decker died in 1947, at the age of fifty-one, from stomach ulcers. His condition was aggravated by years of heavy drinking with figures such as W.C. Fields and John Barrymore.What art movement was John Decker part of?
John Decker was associated with the Modernism movement.What is John Decker known for?
Decker is known for his portraits of Hollywood figures and his ability to forge Old Master paintings. His portrait of W.C. Fields as Queen Victoria was displayed for many years at Chasen's Restaurant.What was John Decker's art style?
John Decker's artistic ability ranged from convincing Old Master pastiches to sharp caricatures for newspapers. His paintings were also used in Fritz Lang's film Scarlet Street.When did John Decker die?
John Decker died in 1947 at the age of 52.When was John Decker born?
John Decker was born in 1895 in Germany. John Decker died in 1947, aged 52.
Sources
Editorial draws on the following primary and tertiary references for John Decker.
- [1] book Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author, Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author - The Art Book_ New Edition, Mini Format Used for: biography.
- [2] book guggenheim-acquisitionsof1900reba Used for: biography.
- [3] book guggenheim-artoftomorrowfif1939gugg Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-05-17. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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