Fritz Baumgartner

Die Benno Kirche - Benno Church

2001

Seit seinem frühen Tod 1999 erlebt das Werk von Franz Ecker eine längst fällige Neubewertung, die sich auch in zahlreichen Einzelausstellungen, Katalogen und einem sehenswerten Kinof...

Seit seinem frühen Tod 1999 erlebt das Werk von Franz Ecker eine längst fällige Neubewertung, die sich auch in zahlreichen Einzelausstellungen, Katalogen und einem sehenswerten Kinof...

Since Franz Ecker’s early death in 1999 his work has been newly appreciated, what is manifested in numerous exhibitions, catalogues and in the acclaimed film about the artist. He was extremely productive and left behind an almost unmanageable scope of works in various styles. Among them some of the top works that are unparalleled in recent Austrian art history and whose significance has not yet been adequately appreciated. After finishing his studies in 1966 in class of prof. Sergius Pauser and after receiving his two prizes, Franz Ecker moved back to Leonding where he developed his clear, abstract language of forms. Among his sources of inspiration are Cezanne and Picasso, as well as Martin Polasek who was one of his teachers. This led him to painting in a flat and abstract manner, which triggers a spatial experience through its exact color coordination and strict composition. The strongest period in his oeuvre is the time when his paintings are between figuration and abstraction. Only until around 1975 he additionally creates numerous watercolors, even though he restricts this medium to his more lyrical works. If Franz Ecker cannot be included in the avant-garde cannon of the 70’s, it is only because he witheld from presenting his works on the art market. Instead of using the opportunities that were offered to him in Vienna, he returned after his time at the academy to Linz where there was no appreciation nor market for his works. Distanced from the established art business, Ecker lives uncompromisingly the precarious life of a lonely genius. An artist myth, which in his case certainly is a bitter reality. Unimpressed by this, Ecker develops an increasingly broad language of forms within the clear line of abstract pictorial conception, which he emphasizes with constantly new forms of signature. At the end of the seventies his works became more gestural and expressive. His works like “Kafka” anticipate the “Neue Wilden”. When these are celebrated as the “return of painting...

Michael Vonbank is an Austrian artist known for his experimental and colorful art. This special work shows a surreal and expressive pictorial world. Invented creatures, fantasy and ...

"Strange Angel" is an oil painting with chalk and graphite on wood panel, and measures 12" high by 12" wide. It is finished with a clear resin across the surface, lending the artwork a particular warmth and liquidity that is rare and lovely to behold. Typical of the artist, the painting is a mystery despite its apparent simplicity – possibly a winged creature or person in the presence of another person. Note the restrained color palette, the subtle toning of the wood surface, the bodies rendered and bodies suggested. The surface is very interesting – drawn lines and painterly brushstrokes to be sure, but also the toned wood coming through as color and texture. All of it held, as if in time, by the resin layer acting as a lens to both transmit this picture and admit light to the picture. A true artifact. From Will Hudson...

"Copse" is an oil painting with chalk and graphite on wood panel, and measures 16" high by 12" wide. It is finished with a clear resin across the surface, lending the artwork a particular warmth and liquidity that is rare and lovely to behold. Typical of the artist, the painting is a mystery despite its apparent simplicity – the landscape with trees on the horizon, the wide full sky bearing down with clouds and light. The picture surface is very interesting – drawn lines and painterly brushstrokes to be sure, but note the speed and swift conviction of those brushstrokes. All of it held, as if in time, by the resin layer acting as a lens to both transmit this picture and admit light to the picture. A true artifact. From Will Hudson...

"Swing" is an oil painting with chalk and graphite on wood panel, and measures 16" high by 12" wide. It is finished with a clear resin across the surface, lending the artwork a particular warmth and liquidity that is rare and lovely to behold. Typical of the artist, the painting is a mystery despite its apparent simplicity – a girl or young lady on a swing...

"Man Overboard" is an oil painting with chalk and graphite on wood panel, and measures 16" high by 12" wide. It is finished with a clear resin across the surface, lending the artwork a particular warmth and liquidity that is rare and lovely to behold. Typical of the artist, the painting is a mystery despite its apparent simplicity – a woman wearing part of her bikini stretches out beside a pool or body of water, while another figure hovers nearby. The title Man Overboard would suggest the woman's pose and partial nudity have completely derailed the man's intentions – perhaps driven him to distraction. Note the restrained color palette, the subtle toning of the wood surface, the bodies rendered and bodies suggested. The surface is very interesting – drawn lines and painterly brushstrokes to be sure, but also the toned wood coming through as color and texture. All of it held, as if in time, by the resin layer acting as a lens to both transmit this picture and admit light to the picture. A true artifact. From Will Hudson...