Hanuš Schwaiger

Hanuš Johann Peter Paul Schwaiger (28 June 1854 – 17 June 1912) was a painter, designer, graphic artist and professor, best known for his fairy-tale illustrations. He was from Bohemia.

Biography

He was the only son of six children born to a German-speaking ironmonger, and was baptized as a Catholic. In 1865, he was enrolled at the local gymnasium, but failed his courses and transferred to the Realschule in České Budějovice, where he met a teacher who encouraged his artistic interests. In 1873, despite this, he followed his father's wishes and entered the Vienna Business School. He soon ignored his studies and spent more time at the local art schools, prompting his parents to bring him home to work in the family business. He was not deterred, however, and devoted his time to painting when his father was absent. Some of his first works were purchased by Professor Hans Makart, but later attempts to be financially independent failed and he returned, penniless, to his hometown in 1881.

Selected works