Heinrich Zille (German, 1858–1929) was a photographer and illustrator. Born in Radeburg near Dresden, in 1877, Zille began working at the graphic arts studio Photographische Gesellschaft, which produced mainly commercial art. He created his first lithograph in the same year, and also began creating drawings, incorporating elements of social criticism into his work.

Zille became known for his often-humorous, stereotypical portrayals of people, many of which were featured in the German satirical publication Simplicissimus. He was also one of the first artists to depict the squalid social environment of the tenement buildings in Berlin. He developed a reputation for his funny yet brutally honest depictions of people on the margins of society, including prostitutes, beggars, and laborers. He was also an accomplished photographer, capturing the Berlin street scene. As part of the avant-garde movement in the city, Zille met a number of influential artists, including Max Liebermann, August Gaul, and Käthe Kollwitz.

In 1901, Zille participated in his first group show, Zeichnende Künste, mounted by the Berlin Secession, and continued to exhibit regularly with the group. After losing his job as a lithographer, Zille began freelancing, and made a living by selling his drawings.

In 1924, Zille was made a member of the Prussian Academy of the Arts, where he also served as a professor. In 1928, the Märkisches Museum in Berlin held a retrospective for the artist entitled Zilles Werdegang. The museum later acquired 100 of his works. Zille died in Berlin at the age of 71. In 2002, the Heinrich Zille Museum was established.