A spectacular art controversy has erupted in Vienna involving early drawings by renowned Austrian artist Arnulf Rainer, which are now being displayed at the Ernst Fuchs Museum to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Ernst Fuchs' death. The 95-year-old Rainer claims the works were stolen, while the museum maintains they were rescued from destruction, creating a real-life art mystery that has captivated the Austrian cultural scene.
The exhibition, titled "My Studio is Deserted," showcases early works created by a 20-year-old Arnulf Rainer in 1949, when he was living in a passionate relationship with the then 30-year-old Maria Lassnig in Ernst Fuchs' studio at Haasgasse 10 in Vienna. The Ernst Fuchs Private Museum, established in 1988 and housed in Otto Wagner's villa, opened the controversial show on Sunday despite brewing legal tensions.
The story behind these drawings reads like an art crime thriller. In 1949, Ernst Fuchs visited the Haasgasse studio and found it empty and devastated. He discovered numerous drawings scattered across the floor that Rainer had apparently intended to burn or discard. Fuchs collected these abandoned works and wrote on the back of some pieces "A. Rainer. Owner: E. Fuchs." He also noted: "The studio is devastated. Arnulf and Maria have gone to Paris. Rainer's drawings cover the floor, intended to be burned." Fuchs rescued additional works from the apartment of his ex-wife on Porzellangasse, where Rainer had been a subtenant and had thrown away many of his creations.
However, the aging master Arnulf Rainer now vehemently disputes this version of events, claiming that Fuchs actually stole the drawings. "Stolen from the trash can!" Rainer reportedly declared. The artist has expressed his dissatisfaction with these early works, describing them as "bad, meager and empty," and strongly opposes their public display. This stance has created significant tension, as Fuchs' heirs now fear potential legal action from Rainer, who has become increasingly litigious in recent years.
The controversy extends beyond just the ownership dispute. Cathedral Dean Toni Faber is currently attempting to smooth over tensions regarding another planned exhibition of Rainer's cross-themed works at St. Stephen's Cathedral, indicating the artist's contentious relationship with various cultural institutions. Meanwhile, the Maria Lassnig Foundation has expressed interest in purchasing Rainer's portraits of his former lover Maria Lassnig, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
The exhibition at the Ernst Fuchs Museum continues despite the controversy, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the early artistic development of one of Austria's most significant contemporary artists. The show provides insight into a pivotal moment in 1949 when young Rainer was exploring his artistic voice while living with Maria Lassnig in the creative environment of Fuchs' studio. Whether legal action will follow remains to be seen, as the art world watches this unusual dispute between preservation and artistic autonomy unfold.
