Franz Gableck

1910 to 1974, Austria

Franz Gableck was born in Lower Austria, married and worked as a labourer. He was drafted into the German army in 1940, but was released as unfit for service due to a hearing impairment.

Starting in 1948, he received inpatient psychiatric treatment. His main works were created from 1968 to 1969. He drew fast, was able to draw anywhere and always carried his art supplies in his trouser pockets, especially pencils, coloured pencils and crayons. He chose his own subjects, which expressed a great immediacy and vital energy. He made his drawings for his psychiatrist Leo Navratil, which means that his works always carry personal dedications in addition to the title, place, date and signature. From the 1970s to the mid1980s, he participated in all of the group exhibitions of the Gugging artists. He died of pneumonia. His works are in the collection of Arnulf Rainer, Austria, among others.

Selected works