Hans Fronius
Encyclopedia
Hans Fronius was an Austrian
painter
and illustrator.
He was born in Sarajevo
, which was then a territory of Austria-Hungary
(now Bosnia and Hercegovina). His father was descended from an old, aristocratic Transylvanian Saxon family [see Fronius]. As a young boy, he witnessed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
, an event that would later form the subject of his book, Attentat in Sarajevo (English: Assassination in Sarajevo).
After the First World War, Fronius's family moved to Graz
in Austria. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. From 1930 to 1960, he taught art and projective geometry
at a grammar school in Fürstenfeld
, Styria. His leftist sympathies put his teaching position in jeopardy after the Anschluss
, and in 1943 he was drafted into the German army
.
The art historian Otto Benesch
called Fronius "the most significant Austrian illustrator since Alfred Kubin
." His work is considered an example of 'Expressive
Realism
', with subjects that include portraits, street scenes, and literary interpretations. He was one of the first illustrators of the stories of Franz Kafka
, and contributed illustrations to works by Edgar Allan Poe
.
In 1966, Fronius was awarded the Grand Austrian State Prize
. He remained a prolific artist until his death at age 84 in 1988.
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and illustrator.
He was born in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, which was then a territory of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
(now Bosnia and Hercegovina). His father was descended from an old, aristocratic Transylvanian Saxon family [see Fronius]. As a young boy, he witnessed the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Franz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia...
, an event that would later form the subject of his book, Attentat in Sarajevo (English: Assassination in Sarajevo).
After the First World War, Fronius's family moved to Graz
Graz
The more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
in Austria. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. From 1930 to 1960, he taught art and projective geometry
Projective geometry
In mathematics, projective geometry is the study of geometric properties that are invariant under projective transformations. This means that, compared to elementary geometry, projective geometry has a different setting, projective space, and a selective set of basic geometric concepts...
at a grammar school in Fürstenfeld
Fürstenfeld
Fürstenfeld is a town and a district in southeastern Austria. It is situated within the Austrian federal state of StyriaAccording to the 2005 census, Fürstenfeld has 5,986 citizens within its communal area, the larger urban area of Fürstenfeld includes approximately 20% more citizens.Fürstenfeld...
, Styria. His leftist sympathies put his teaching position in jeopardy after the Anschluss
Anschluss
The Anschluss , also known as the ', was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938....
, and in 1943 he was drafted into the German army
Heer (1935-1945)
The Heer was the Army land forces component of the German armed forces from 1935 to 1945, the latter also included the Navy and the Air Force...
.
The art historian Otto Benesch
Otto Benesch
Otto Benesch was an Austrian art historian. He is considered as a member of the Vienna School of Art History.He was taught by Max Dvořák...
called Fronius "the most significant Austrian illustrator since Alfred Kubin
Alfred Kubin
Alfred Leopold Isidor Kubin was an Austrian printmaker, illustrator and occasional writer. Kubin is considered an important representative of Symbolism and Expressionism.-Biography:...
." His work is considered an example of 'Expressive
Expressionism
Expressionism was a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas...
Realism
Realism (visual arts)
Realism in the visual arts is a style that depicts the actuality of what the eyes can see. The term is used in different senses in art history; it may mean the same as illusionism, the representation of subjects with visual mimesis or verisimilitude, or may mean an emphasis on the actuality of...
', with subjects that include portraits, street scenes, and literary interpretations. He was one of the first illustrators of the stories of Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
, and contributed illustrations to works by Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
.
In 1966, Fronius was awarded the Grand Austrian State Prize
Grand Austrian State Prize
The Grand Austrian State Prize is a decoration given annually by Austria to an artist for exceptional work. The recipient must be an Austrian citizen with a permanent residence in Austria....
. He remained a prolific artist until his death at age 84 in 1988.
External links
- www.fronius-hans.com
- Biography at the Lower Austrian Museum
- Spaightwood Galleries (Includes samples)
- http://www.austria-lexikon.at/af/Wissenssammlungen/Biographien/Fronius,_Hans