Viennese gallery owner Ernst Hilger: A life for art comes to an end

Viennese gallery owner Ernst Hilger: A life for art comes to an end

1., Dorotheergasse 5, 1010 Wien, Österreich - Ernst Hilger, the influential Viennese gallery owner, died at the age of 75. Hilger was born in Vienna on February 28, 1950 and is considered a formative figure of the Austrian art scene. After his studies in business administration, which he began in 1968, he worked not only as an art dealer, but also as an art collector and publisher.

Hilger, who originally wanted to become a singer or poet, founded his first gallery in 1971, the Academia Gallery. Just a year later, the Spectrum Gallery was founded in Vienna. In the course of his career, he expanded his commitment with other galleries in Salzburg, Vienna, Frankfurt and Paris. He was active in promoting young artists, including through projects such as "Siemens_Artlab".

influential offices and awards

Hilger was president of the European gallery owner association from 2002 to 2007 and took over long -term leadership roles, including as President of the Association of Austrian Galleries and as a member of the Advisory Board of Art Basel. His services to art have received several awards, including with the golden honorary signs of the city of Vienna and as an officier of the Arts et Lettres in 2000.

In addition, Hilger was also active as a publisher and published the first Austrian art newspaper, the "gallery mirror" in 1974. His gallery Hilger Contemporary, which he opened in 2003, and the Hilgerbrotkunsthalle in the anchor bread factory, which was launched in 2009, are further highlights of his career.

commitment to the art scene

Hilger's commitment to art was groundbreaking in many ways. He was a co -founder of the internet "www.artmagazine.cc" in 2000 and, with the opening of "Hilger Next" in 2013, further expanded the possibilities for modern art in Austria. His most important exhibitions included works by internationally renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Jean Dubuffet.

his gift of a bust of the composer Robert Schumann by Alfred Hrdlicka to the city of Vienna in 2005 reflects his personal commitment and appreciation for art and culture.

future of Austrian art promotion

The Austrian art scene is currently facing new challenges, but also opportunities. The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Public Service and Sport (BMKÖS) has started a funding offensive to support the visual arts in Austria. The funding is increased by a total of 350,000 euros and support, among other things, the participation of Austrian galleries in international art fairs.

Foreign trade fair funding will increase by 150,000 euros to a total of 550,000 euros in 2024, which is important for over 40 galleries (including Hilgers Galleries). These developments could help to continue the heir of gallery owners like Ernst Hilger in the contemporary art scene. OE24 that Hilger played a central role in this dynamic art landscape, while Historywiki provides detailed insights into his career. Current information on art funding can also be found on diegalerien.at .