Ambrosi Gustinus

1893 Eisenstadt - 1975 Vienna

Sculptor, graphic artist and poet

The musical prodigy lost his hearing at the age of seven due to a serious illness. Gustinus Ambrosi soon turned to sculpture. He learned the craft in Prague, later in Graz and then in Vienna, where he worked as a blacksmith, stonemason and ore caster. He created his first busts at the age of fourteen. The "Man with a Broken Neck", whom he modeled when he was 15, was exhibited in 1910 at the Styrian Artists' Cooperative. Ambrosi dealt intensively with Rodin, but also with the Italian Baroque and the Renaissance, especially with the art of Michelangelo. His first major exhibition took place in Graz in 1912, where he was already awarded the State Prize at the age of 18. In 1913, with the support of Emperor Franz Joseph, he received a state studio in the Vienna Prater, which was devastated during World War II. In the post-war years, the federal government made it possible for him to set up a new studio in Vienna's 2nd district, combined with the establishment of a museum, which was finally opened in 1978. In addition to the numerous portrait busts of important personalities, Ambrosi created expressive nudes and groups of figures that are among the highlights of Austrian sculpture.

Ref.: F. Karpfen, G. Ambrosi, Vienna 1923; Exhib. Cat.G. Ambrosi, Graz 1937