Franz Hagenauer - Austrian sculptor

Franz Hagenauer – Master of the reduced formal language

Franz Hagenauer (1906–1986) shaped Austrian modernism with his minimalist sculptures made of metal and wood. His works combine clear lines with poetic expressiveness and were internationally recognized. As early as the 1920s he exhibited in Paris, Milan, Venice and Vienna. As a professor at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, he influenced a new generation of artists.

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Franz Hagenauer – Master of Modern Sculpture

Franz Hagenauer – Master of Modern Sculpture

Franz Hagenauer (1906–1986) was an important Austrian sculptor whose radically reduced formal language made him one of the most important representatives of modernism. His works combine poetic expressiveness with technical precision and have received great international recognition.

training and early successes

Hagenauer studied at the Vienna School of Applied Arts under Anton Hanak and Josef Hoffmann, a leading representative of Art Nouveau. As early as the 1920s, he took part in important international exhibitions, including the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (1925). His works were presented in Milan, Venice and Vienna and were internationally appreciated early on.

Wood and Metalwork after 1945

After the Second World War, he moved to Salzburg, where he increasingly worked with wood. This period brought a softer, more organic formal language and complemented his iconic metal sculptures.

Teaching and Legacy

In 1962, Franz Hagenauer became professor for free design in metal at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. There he influenced a new generation of artists. To this day, his art remains the epitome of simplicity, clarity and maximum expressiveness.

Discover selected works inspired by Franz Hagenauer at Design Foyer .