Over de kunstenaar
Otto Prutscher (Vienna, 1880-1949), Architect and designer. He was a prominent member of the Wiener Werkstätte. In his early work, influenced by Josef Hoffmann, he makes extensive use of geometric shapes and square motifs, as is the case with this glass. Later he focused more on more classic forms and more primitive motifs.
Prutscher first studied at the Fachschule für Holzindustrie and later became a student of Josef Hoffmann at the Kunstgewerbeschule (1897-1901). As early as 1900 he took part in the World Exhibition in Paris and settled as an architect in Vienna, he designed various interiors and in 1902 he took part in the Esposizione Internationale d'Arte Decorativa Moderna in Turin. From 1903 he also started teaching, among others at the Kunstgewerbeschule.
From 1907 he makes glassware, textiles, furniture, bindings, metal and silverware and jewelery for the Wiener Werkstätte, but also designs for the Deutsche Werkstätten and companies such as Bakolowits, Loetz, Lobmeyr, Keramos and Thonet.
In 1939 he was banned by the Nazis from teaching any longer at the Kunstgewerbeschule. He refused to divorce his Jewish wife. After WWII he returns and becomes head of the drawing department.
His work is part of museum and private collections worldwide, such as the MOMA, New York, MAK Museum in Vienna and Museum Booijmans-van Beuningen in Rotterdam.
