Grief for Ernst Hilger: Vienna's art scene loses your lighthouse

Grief for Ernst Hilger: Vienna's art scene loses your lighthouse

On May 27, 2025, Mayor Michael Ludwig expressed his deep dismay about the sudden death of the renowned gallery owner Ernst Hilger, who was described as a "lighthouse in the Viennese art scene". Hilger, born in Vienna in 1950, was always a supporting support for his artists and the art community. Ludwig recalled that he was recently able to take a tour of his gallery and the Attersee show with Hilger on the penultimate Tuesday. The loss, according to Ludwig, is "terrible", and he expressed his condolences to all those who were close to Hilger, especially his wife Karoline and his long -standing employees.

Ernst Hilger had an impressive career as a cultural manager, which began in 1971 with the founding of the Ernst Hilger gallery in Wiener Dorotheergasse. This gallery quickly developed into one of the first addresses in the industry and became known for its innovative exhibitions, which present important artists such as Erró, Mel Ramos and Eduard Angeli. Hilger was not only an important gallery owner, but also a sponsor of artists of the 20th century, including works by greats such as Pablo Picasso, Jean Dubuffet and Andy Warhol.

an engagement for art

The Hilger gallery is currently showing a solo exhibition by Jakob Kirchmayr, which runs until November 19, 2025. The exhibition includes lyrical and expressive painting on hand -made paper from Nepal. Kirchmayr's works address the ambivalence of the present and address topics such as nature, destruction and war. These lively and powerful work reflect the handwriting of the artist, which applies the colors with large gestures, which creates a characteristic, haptic surface. The lack of any presentation makes the pictures all the more impressive and invites you to interpret.

Hilger was also president of the gallery association F.E. A. G. A. for many years and was actively involved in art fairs such as Art Basel. His close connection to the Viennese avant -garde about personalities such as Alfred Hrdlicka and Christian Ludwig Attersee illustrates his influence in the art scene.

support for the galleries

In a broader context, the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Public Service and Sport (BMKÖS) terminated a funding offensive for the visual arts in Austria, which in particular would like to support young artists. The funding is increased by 350,000 euros, whereby special attention is paid to foreign measurement funding. This will increase by a total of 150,000 euros to 550,000 euros in the coming years to promote participation in international art fairs such as Art Basel and the Frieze Art Fair.

Entrepreneurial galleries, including Hilger, can look forward to maximum funding of up to 25,000 euros per trade fair appearance, while participation in off-trade fairs is supported with up to 8,000 euros. These initiatives not only promote existing art institutions, but also contribute to the visibility of emerging artists, which can be exhibited in renowned museums such as the Lento's Linz Art Museum and the Austrian Gallery Belvedere in Vienna.

The death of Ernst Hilger marks an important loss for the Viennese art scene, but his heir as an innovative gallery owner and sponsor of creative talent will continue to sustain