The Life and Artistic Journey of Carry Hauser
Born in Vienna, Austria, as Carl Maria Hauser, Carry Hauser was a versatile artist whose creative reach extended through painting, printmaking, xylography, and scenography. His formal education began at the Schottengymnasium and the Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt, followed by studies at the Wiener Kunstgewerbeschule under instructors such as Adolf Michael Boehm, Anton von Kenner, Alfred Roller, and Oskar Strnad. His early career as an illustrator and painter was interrupted by military service during World War I, an experience that led him to become a pacifist.
Hauser’s professional life was marked by significant involvement in various artistic circles. He was a leading member of the Freie Bewegung and belonged to the artists' society Der Fels. Between 1925 and 1938, he was a member of the Hagenbund, serving as its president during 1927/28. His expertise in theatrical design was further recognized through his role as vice-president of the Vienna Theatre Guild.
Artistic Works and Later Years
The artist's diverse oeuvre includes portraits, genre works, history paintings, and landscapes. His notable works include:
In the theatrical realm, Hauser contributed stage set designs for works such as Die Rote Straße, Wozzeck, Gesellschaft der Menschenrechte, and The Constant Prince. Following the Anschluss in 1938, he was banned from working and exhibiting by the National Socialists. During the war, he lived in exile in Switzerland, where he authored several books, including Eine Geschichte vom verlorenen Sohn and Zwischen gestern und morgen. Upon returning to Vienna in 1947, he remained active in cultural organizations, serving as General Secretary and later vice-president of the Austrian PEN Club.
