Franz von Defregger

(1835 Stronach/Tyrol – 1921 Munich)

 

As a start, Franz von Defregger went to Innsbruck to learn the art of carving from sculptor Michael Stolz. In 1860, he introduced himself to Piloty at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich who rather advised him to continue his studies under Hermann Dyck at the Arts School Munich (“Kunstgewerbeschule”). In the autumn of 1864, he was finally accepted in Piloty’s class based on his study “The lost hunter” (“Der verlorene Jäger”). His main subjects were sceneries from the lives of Tyrol peasants. Apart from that he gave attention to history paintings which in its genre-typical understanding was in contrast to Piloty’s history paintings. Besides these “official” works, Defregger made numerous private studies, especially of landscapes, thereby distinguishing himself as a great colorist. He was appointed professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich in 1878 and became ennobled in 1883.