Robert Hammerstiel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Hammerstiel
Robert Hammerstiel in his studio in Pottschach (Ternitz) 2017
Born	(1933-02-18)18 February 1933 Vršac, Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Died	23 November 2020(2020-11-23) (aged 87) Neunkirchen, Austria
Occupation	Painter Engraver

Robert Hammerstiel (born February 18, 1933 – died November 23, 2020) was a famous artist from Austria. He was known for his paintings and engravings. His art was inspired by different styles, like old Serbian icon painting, wood-cut engraving, and even pop art. Robert Hammerstiel was recognized all over the world and won many awards for his work. His hometown even opened a museum to show his amazing art.

Robert Hammerstiel's Life and Art Journey

Robert Hammerstiel was born in a town called Werschetz (now Vršac) in what was then Kingdom of Yugoslavia. His family was of German background. His father, Anton Hammerstiel, was a baker who also painted icons. His mother was Therese Hammerstiel. Robert went to both German and Serbian primary schools.

Towards the end of World War II, his family had to leave their home. Robert was sent to a camp, and his mother was sent to a different one. In 1947, he managed to escape with his mother and brother. They first went to Hungary, where people helped them. Later, they moved to Austria. They settled in a village called Pottschach near Ternitz in Lower Austria. Robert lived there for the rest of his life.

In 1949, Robert started training to be a baker. When his father returned from being a prisoner of war in 1950, he encouraged Robert to paint and draw. His father also taught him how to paint icons. Robert began painting portraits and landscapes of the areas around him. He finished his baker's training in 1951. However, from 1955, he started working in the local steel industry. The next year, he married Margareta Speringer.

Robert Hammerstiel entered an art competition held by the Austrian Federation of Trade. He won a prize, which helped him study art. While still working, he began studying at the Wiener Kunstschule in 1959. He learned from several teachers there. In the 1960s, his art started to feature figures without faces. He began showing his art internationally in 1974. In 1985, he was given the special title of Professor.

In 1988, he stopped working in the steel industry to become a full-time artist. His artworks were shown at the Austrian Culture Institute in New York City. There, he saw American paintings, which inspired him to use very bright colors in his own art. He also wrote a book called Von Ikonen und Ratten (Of Icons and Rats), which included 32 woodcuts. He also illustrated other books.

In 2007, he created a huge painting that wrapped around the Ringturm building in Vienna. This painting was about 4,000 square meters (about 43,000 square feet)! It showed simple, brightly colored figures representing different stages of human life.

Robert Hammerstiel was an honorary member of the Vojvodinian Academy of Sciences and Art. He passed away in Pottschach on November 23, 2020, when he was 87 years old.

In 2010, his hometown opened a museum dedicated to his artworks. Andrea Mayer, who works for the Ministry of Culture in Austria, said that his art was special in Austria. She noted that it was based on many local traditions.

Where His Art Was Shown

Robert Hammerstiel's art was shown in many places around the world. Here are some of his exhibitions:

• 1973 Landesmuseum Niederösterreich, Vienna
• 1982 Vienna Künstlerhaus
• 1988 Austrian Institute, New York City
• 1991 Museum of Modern Art, Cairo
• 1993 Vienna Künstlerhaus
• 2002 National Museum, Vršac
• 2006 Leopold Museum, Vienna
• 2007 Vienna Künstlerhaus
• 2008 Ständige Vertretung des Landes Baden-Württemberg at the EU, Brussels
• 2009 Leopold Museum, Vienna

Places Where You Can See His Art

You can find Robert Hammerstiel's artworks in many museums and collections. Here are some of the places where his art is kept:

• Berlin, Germany House
• Braunschweig, HAUM
• Brugg, Gallery
• New York
• Cairo, Museum of Modern Art
• Klosterneuburg / Lower Austria, Essl Collection
• Madrid, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
• New York, Austrian Culture Institute
• Novi Sad, Vojvodjanski muz.
• Recklinghausen, KH
• Reutlingen, municipal KM donation house
• Rome
  • Vaticani Museum, Coll. d'Arte Relig. Mod.
  • Centro Artist. Cult.
• Salzburg, MdM Rupertinum
• Sofia, Municipal KG
• St. Pölten, Lower Austria. LM
• Tokyo, NM of Western Art
• Vršac, H.-Mus.
• Vienna
  • ABK
  • Albertina
  • City Department of Culture
  • Leopold Museum
  • Austrian Gallery Belvedere
  • Federal collection
  • Rudolf Leopold Collection
  • Wiener Städtische Versicherung collection

Awards and Honors

Robert Hammerstiel received many important awards for his artistic achievements:

• 1973: Austrian State Prize for Graphics
• 1998: Austrian Decoration for Science and Art
• 2005: Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester (awarded by Pope John Paul II)
• 2005: Golden Laurel of the Society of Artists in Austria, Vienna Künstlerhaus

See also

In Spanish: Robert Hammerstiel para niños