Controversy over the Fox exhibition: Will Rainer's works be condemned?

Controversy over the Fox exhibition: Will Rainer's works be condemned?

Today, November 10, 2025, the exhibition “My Studio is Orphaned” will open in the Ernst Fuchs Museum in Hütteldorf, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the death of the renowned artist and co-founder of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, Ernst Fuchs. The announced works also include earlier works by Arnulf Rainer, which have caused a lot of excitement in the last few days. The presentation of these sketches is controversial and is described by Rainer himself as a failure.

Ernst Fuchs and Arnulf Rainer, both important figures in the art scene, shared a studio in Vienna's Leopoldstadt in the late 1940s. Fuchs had kept numerous sketches and drawings by Rainer, which are now being made visible to the public for the first time, further fueling the debate about their artistic quality. Despite these disputes, the Ernst Fuchs Museum plans to open the exhibition to honor the works as contemporary documents of a creative period by the two artists and to strengthen the connection to Fuchs' legacy. According to oe24, the exhibition is intended to put the spotlight on the appreciation for Fuchs, who died in 2015 at the age of 85.

A look back at Ernst Fuchs

Ernst Fuchs was not only a master of his craft, but also shaped an entire art movement that combined mythology, mysticism and dreams. In 1972 he transformed the Otto Wagner Villa in Hütteldorf into his life's work, which now functions as a museum. “My studio is orphaned” marks the start of a new exhibition series in the Adolf Böhm Hall. Presentations of works by other greats such as Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Arik Brauer are also planned in order to revitalize the artistic dialogue of the Fantastic Realists.

The Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, founded in 1946, is an association of artists including Fuchs, Rainer, Wolfgang Hutter and Arik Brauer. This movement emerged as a response to the prevailing abstract art movements of the time and was characterized by a uniquely detailed and symbolically powerful imagery. The group's name was coined by Johann Muskik in the 1950s, and their first exhibition took place in Vienna's Belvedere in 1959. Many of the artists involved were students of Professor Albert Paris Gütersloh, who taught them a solid foundation in painting - comparable to the old masters.

A legacy of the fantastic realists

Ernst Fuchs' influence on the art scene is undeniable and the upcoming exhibition will offer audiences the opportunity to immerse themselves in the complex and fascinating world of fantastic realism. The works presented are not only a look back at a creative partnership, but also a sign of the continued interest in this unique art movement. The organizers and curators hope that this exhibition will not only honor the memory of Ernst Fuchs, but also provide new impetus for artistic exchange among the Fantastic Realists.

For art lovers and those interested, the opening of “My Studio is Orphaned” will be an unforgettable experience. At a time when different artistic movements and dialogues are even more relevant than ever, it is clear that the legacy of Ernst Fuchs and his colleagues remains alive and inspires new generations.