Ofner Hans

St. Pölten 1880 – 1939 Salzburg

Studied under Josef Hoffmann. As early as 1905, while he was still in training, he successfully showed arts and crafts objects –– some of which he had executed himself –– at the St. Pölten City Hall. In 1908, he exhibited at Zimmermann gallery in Munich and at the Vienna "Kunstschau". In 1909, some of his works were exhibited at the international "Kunstschau" in Vienna. Countless art magazines praised his work using words of exuberant enthusiasm. His most important works were created during this period. In 1911, he designed the complete interiors of two villas in St. Pölten, one for manufacturer Schießl and the other for lace-producer Fred Godderidge. In 1913, he decorated the interior of the newly-built extension to Hotel Pittner in St. Pölten.

"Both Hans Ofner and his teacher Josef Hoffmann, who in turn was the student of that great inspirer and controversialist Otto Wagner, have much to thank the latter for. Although Ofner did not belong to the inner circle of Wiener Werkstätte, he was always of the same persuasion and followed the same principles in his creative work." (Quotation: Karl M. Kuzmany, Die Kunst, 1907, vol. 16, p. 273)