Gerard Ernest Schneider was born in 1896 in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland.  After having studied in Neuchatel, he came to Paris and took courses at the School of Decorative Arts, then at the School of Fine Arts.  His first solo exhibition was held in Neuchatel in 1920 at the Leopold Robert Gallery.  In 1922, Gerard Schneider moved to France permanently.  From 1926 on, he participated in numerous group exhibitions at the Salons d’Automne, the Surindependants, the Mai, the New Realists, etc.

Up until 1944, his art evolved through different phases: classical, figurative representation then imaginary, surrealism (1937), conception of monumental forms, lyrical and abstract.  He met Pablo Picasso in 1939 and between 1941 and 1943, he participated in teaching Gurjieff.  In 1946, he joined artists who exhibit at the Denise Rene Gallery in Paris for the first abstract art exhibit after the war.  He became a naturalized French Citizen in 1948.

In the mid 50's, he solidified his position among the second generation of abstract artists, along with Hartung and Soulages, taking his place as one of the innovators of lyrical abstraction.

In addition to paintings, Schneider also created engravings and lithographs and illustrated books by Robet Ganzo, Eugenio Montake and Eugene Ionesco and others. He participated in the Art of the 20th Century exhibition at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1977.  An homage was held at the Salon d’Automne in Paris in 1979.

Gerard Ernest Schneider died in Paris in 1986.

Sources include:
mchampetier.com