Hans Zatzka (1859-1945) J. Bernard 1891 Self-portrait In His Workshop Austria

Hans Zatzka, born March 8, 1859 in Vienna (Austria) and died December 7, 1945, was a major Austrian painter. He is also known as P. Ronsard, Pierre de Ronsard, or H. Zabateri. Moreover, he signed many of his paintings as Joseph Bernard, J. Bernard, or Bernard Zatzka. Student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1877 to 1882. He is the author, among others, of many decorations of churches in Vienna, Mayerling, Olmütz and Innsbruck. He is the brother of the architect Ludwig Zatzka (de) and the great-great-uncle of the Viennese actress Hilde Sochor.

Work presented :

Self-portrait signed J. Bernard, one of the artist's pseudonyms, dated 1891. Stamp on the back by Tasset and Lhote, 31 rue Fontaine Paris. This painting is singular in the work of Zatzka. Why?

Because in his work self-portraits are rare. In 1891, he was 32 years old. Has one of his works just been refused at an important fair?

Several things raise questions :

- why is it the frame that is presented on the easel and not one of his works, as he liked to do on other paintings?

- what does he mean with his right hand which implies the pettiness of a fact or an act? Or something else, but the gesture is not insignificant.

- he paints himself in this painting in a beautiful three-piece suit, with several gold jewels and a cigar, with an enigmatic smile. He seems to tell us that he has succeeded financially but that he is not completely satisfied at this point in his life.

-he does not sign this painting Hans Zatzka but J. Bernard.

Condition report :

The painting has been cleaned, it comes out of the workshop, it had never been stripped and refinished since 1891. We have the photos before the cleaning. The canvas is slightly relaxed. This is a major work by this artist that you can come and see at the gallery at 92 rue Nollet, 75017 Paris.

Frame 115 x 88 cm.