Forgotten, But Dramatic, War Artist Albin Egger-Lienz

Danse Macabre, 1921
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Albin Egger-Lienz (1868–1926), one of the most important pioneers of Austrian Expressionism. His war paintings are impressive memorials warning against the horrors of fighting and violence. Shortly before the start of the First World War, Egger-Lienz moved to a village  near what is now the town of Bolzano in Italy, but was in Austria’s South Tyrol at the time (corrected: see comment below). He also met Ferdinand Hodler, whose influence proved important to his later work.

The Nameless, 1916

Mothers, 1922-23

In 1915, Egger-Lienz was drafted into the military, and was initially put to work as an artistic advisor. Although I have been unable to discover anything more of his war record, he appears to have served as a war artist, thereby gaining firsthand experience of the horrific carnage which was taking place at the front lines. Unsurprisingly, this changed his art permanently.

Finale, 1918

After the Conclusion of Peace, 1918?

After the war, Egger-Lienz was offered a professorial post at the Vienna Academy, but turned it down, preferring to continue living in South Tyrol. Egger-Lienz died on 4 November 1926 near Bolzano. He was only 58. His paintings of the First World War remain some of its most important images.  

Source: The Eclectic Light Company; Belvedere Palace Museum