German painter employed by northern studio (5)
I believe the answer is:
ernst
'german painter' is the definition.
'ernst' can be an answer for 'painter' (Max Ernst). I am unsure of the 'german' bit.
'employed by northern studio' is the wordplay.
'employed by' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ERNST' is hidden in the letters of 'northern studio'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ernst that I've seen before include "Max -, twentieth century German Surrealist artist" , "German-born painter, Max, co-founder of dadaism, d. 1976" , "Young partner" , "He painted" , "Max --, German painter" .)