Dame in Gelb

Maximilian Kurzweil, an Austrian painter and graphic artist, was a prominent figure in the Jugendstil movement, later embracing Symbolism under the influence of Edvard Munch and Ferdinand Hodler. Born on October 12, 1867, in Bisenz, Moravia, Kurzweil moved to Vienna with his family in 1879, where he attended the Schottengymnasium. His artistic education began at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, studying under notable figures such as Christian Griepenkerl, Leopold Carl Müller, and Casimir Pochwalski from 1886 to 1895. Kurzweil's life took a significant turn in 1891 when he began spending much of his time in France, marrying Marie-Josephine Marthe Guyot in 1895. His artistic career flourished as he became a member of the Vienna Künstlerhaus in 1895, received the small golden state medal in 1896, and co-founded the Vienna Secession in 1897. Despite his active involvement, he resigned from the Secession in 1903. In 1909, Kurzweil dedicated himself to teaching at the Kunstschule für Frauen und Mädchen. His life ended tragically in 1916 when he and his student Helene Heger committed suicide, a decision attributed to his inherent melancholy and personal circumstances. Kurzweil's legacy includes works like 'Ein lieber Besuch' and 'Dame in Gelb,' showcasing his evolution from Jugendstil to Symbolism.