Tom Von Dreger

Tom Von Dreger (1868–1948), Austrian, Tom von Dreger, born Thomas Richard von Dreger on October 2, 1868, in Brünn, was an esteemed Austrian painter renowned for his portraits, historical scenes, and genre paintings. His artistic journey began at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied under notable figures such as August Eisenmenger, Siegmund L’Allemand, and Heinrich von Angeli between 1884 and 1888. Following his studies in Vienna, von Dreger embarked on a series of educational travels, honing his skills in Venice under Eugene de Blaas and Ludwig Passini, and later in Munich with Alexander von Liezen-Mayer. His pursuit of artistic excellence led him to Paris, where he attended the prestigious Académie Julian from 1893 to 1899, exhibiting his work at the Salon de la Société nationale des beaux-arts under the name T. R. de Dreger.
In 1892, von Dreger married Henriette Allesch, with whom he had five children. After his Parisian sojourn, he settled in Nußschloss before making Vienna his permanent home in 1906. Von Dreger's reputation as a portraitist flourished, earning him commissions from the Austrian Imperial family and Vienna's high society. His oeuvre includes countless portraits of prominent figures across Europe and the United States, alongside significant religious works, such as the altarpieces for Vienna's Votivkirche in 1916. Despite the private ownership of many of his paintings, von Dreger's legacy endures in both private collections and public institutions. He passed away on July 30, 1948, in Vienna, leaving behind a rich artistic heritage that captures the essence of his era.