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Artistic influence of Gerstl-Schönberg

Schönberg was a world-famous composer and he is known as a father figure of the new music of the 20^th century. Gerstl is only known by art connoisseurs, who are interested in the art of "Vienna around 1900".

Schönberg died after a satisfied life (at the age of 77) in an American exile, while on the other hand Gerstl committed suicide by hanging himself. 25 years later, after his death, Gerstl was rediscovered by the "Austrian scene of Art" as the "Austrian Van Gogh". Gerstl was a taboo topic for the society because of his relation to Mathilde Schönberg .

While spending the summer holidays with the family of Schönberg in the year 1908, Gerstl might have fallen in love with Mathilde Schönberg, the wife of Schönberg. Perhaps during this time he made the group portrait.

"Family picture of the Schönbergs"

Both pictures show that he was close with the family Schönberg. As a painter he decided to take a lonely artistic path. The criticism and the disrespect, which he brought against the contemporary "Vienna Art", helps him to look over his "lack of success". It is thanks to his friends and his family that his Art is not forgotten.

Gerstl lived lonely and isolated. Once, he interrupted his studies. At this time, he was intensive busy with philosophy and music. At the same time he made Schönbergs acquaintance and they became good friends. Gerstl realised that Schönberg was very talented in drawing and he gave him lessons. So, these pictures were painted:

"Richard Gerstl-laughing "

"Mathilde Schönberg"

Although they were good friends they also had big conflicts. The main reason was that Gerstl pinched the wife of Schönberg. Schönberg threatened to commit suicide if Mathilda did not come back. And she came back. Because of his loneliness and because of the failure of his relationship with Mathilda, Gerstl commited suicide.