Hans Zatzka
Hans Zatzka (8 March 1859 – 17 December 1945[1] or 1949[2]) was an Austrian Academic and fantasy[3] painter. He has sometimes been known as P. Ronsard,[2] Pierre de Ronsard,[1] or H. Zabateri,[3][4] and signed many of his works as Joseph Bernard, J. Bernard, or Bernard Zatzka.[5] The purpose of Zatzka's vast array of pseudonyms was to avoid penalties of breaking contracts which limited the amount of artwork he could sell.[1][5] This has caused some art databases to conflate Zatzka's work under the pseudonym Joseph Bernard with the French sculptor with the same name.[5]
Biography
![](../I/m/Beauty_with_Flowers_in_an_Interior_by_Hans_Zatzka.jpg)
Hans Zatzka was born on 8 March 1859 in Vienna. His father was a construction worker, and his mother was the actress Hilde Sochor.[1] Between 1877 and 1882, he studied at the Academie des Beaux-Arts,[2] under Christian Griepenkerl, Carl Wurzinger, and Karl von Blaas.[1] Zatzka was able to earn a living through the production of frescoes for churches and other institutions.[1][3]
In 1885, Zatzka was commissioned to create the ceiling fresco The Naiad of Baden at Kurhaus Baden.[5]
Artwork
![](../I/m/Hans-Zaschka_(1859-1945)%2C-Die-Quellnymphe.jpg)
Many of Zatzka's works were religious paintings and altar pieces dedicated to various churches in Austria.[2] However, he is more known for his paintings of women, fairies,[2] and other fantastical scenes.[3] Often, he would draw inspiration from the works of Richard Wagner and the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.[3]
In the late 19th and early 20th century, several pieces by Zatzka were photographed and made into commercial and collectable postcards.[1][5]
During the 1920s, Zatzka's style became the decor of choice throughout Europe.[3] In addition, the previous thirty years held a resurgence for Zatzka.[6]
Currently, most of Zatzka's paintings reside in private collections.[5]
Sales
Between 1997 and 2008, 619 of his paintings had been sold, amounting to a total value of $945,495.[7] On average his paintings sell for $49,762.[8] The greatest sum a painting has garnered in auction was $176,988.[8]
In 2007, Zatka's 'A superb pair of oval paintings on canvas' sold at the Aspire Auctions for $53,763.[9]
Legacy
In 2004, Somalia created stamps with four Zatzka motifs: a harem dancer, a few nymphs, a spring goddess, and the night sky.[1]
Gallery
- The Temptation
- Madonna and Child with Angels
- Two Women and a Goat
- Sledding
- Blumenreigen, ca. 1900
References
- maria laterza. "Hans Zatzka ~ Academic painter - Tutt'Art@ - Pittura * Scultura * Poesia * Musica -".
- "Hans Zatzka Paintings Reproduction and Biography".
- "Hans Zatzka (Austrian, 1859-1945)".
- "Print - 'The Last Supper' by H.Zabateri, Framed,1920". Museum Victoria Collections.
- "HANS ZATZKA, Austrian (1859-1945) A Fine Oil on Canvas "In Search of Love" Depicting a standing young maiden by the lake shore giving her farewell goodbye to a departing cupid riding a sea shell and being pulled over water by a swan. Signed (l/r): H. Zatzka. Circa: 1885 Great quality! Framed".
- "Hans Zatzka (Austrian, 1859-1945), "Madonna and Child"".
- "Hans Zatzka".
- "Biography of Hans Zatzka - BLOUIN ARTINFO, The Premier Global Online Destination for Art and Culture - BLOUIN ARTINFO".
- "Hans Zatzka (Austrian, 1859 - 1945)".