During the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Hans Zatzka (1859-1945) was a popular artist in Austria. He is best known for his truly unique fantasy paintings, in which he created his own dream world. Zatzka’s utopia consisted of soft natural environments in which he placed fairy-tale-like women, often surrounded by flowers, mythological creatures, and animals. These works range from playful scenes with some humorous elements, to women placed in an Oriental environment, to colorful interior scenes where a sensual woman is waiting for her lover. Some of these fantasy paintings are created in a keyhole format, creating the sensation that the viewer is peeking at the models through the keyhole. Zatzka was a very productive artist, and his oeuvre also includes works with a religious theme, mainly Madonna paintings, and still lifes filled with colorful flowers and fruits.

During his career, the art of Hans Zatzka strongly appealed to the lower and middle class citizens, and his paintings ended up with private collectors and local galleries. As a consequence, Zatzka’s works have not been on display in major museums over time, severely limiting his exposure to a larger audience. Luckily, many of his works are now regularly sold in auctions, providing us with a glimpse into the mesmerizing world of Hans Zatzka. This richly-illustrated coffee table book provides a stunning overview of the artist and his works.