1892-1919
Oscar Moritz Ernst Leyden was born on 16 May 1892 in Rotterdam.

In 1916 Ernst established his first studio in Amsterdam and exhibited with the St Lucas group and at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. He joined Dr Schoenmakers group in Laren where he met Mondrian, Rietvelt, van Doesberg and Van der Lek.

Whilst his friends, Mondrian, Jan Sluyters, Charles Toorop, Leo Gestel, Van de Vegte and Wim Hussem were going to Vollendam Ernst set up a studio on the island of Urk.