Gabriele Munter was born into a wealthy family in Berlin. She received art lessons in Berlin. Upon the death of their parents, she and her sister traveled to the United States to further their studies.
On her return to Munich, she worked at the Phalanx School with Wassily Kandinsky. When they traveled to the Alps for summer classes, their relationship became more personal.
Gabriele Munter traveled extensively throughout Europe, including Italy, France, and the Netherlands. She met Henri Matisse and many other famous artists, staying with Wassily Kandinsky for approximately 12 years.
In 1908, Munter’s artistic style changed from expressionist paintings. She moved to the small town of Murnau, where she created colorful paintings of the surrounding landscape.