Maximilian Von Spaun

Place: Klostermühle

Born: 1856

Death: 1908

Biography:

Max Ritter von Spaun was an Austrian artist born in Klostermühle, Austria-Hungary in 1856 and died in 1908. He was a key figure in the Art Nouveau movement, particularly in the field of glass art. Spaun was the owner of the Joh. Loetz Witwe glassworks, which became widely acknowledged for its great talent and innovative designs. He was granted the Austro-Hungarian privilege (patent) number 37/2566 in 1887 for producing colored glass decorated in a specific way. In 1897, Spaun admired an exhibition of Tiffany Favrile glass exhibited in Bohemia and Vienna, which inspired him to create his own unique designs. He is known for designing the Phänomen and Papillon Series, which are considered some of the most outstanding examples of Art Nouveau glass art. Spaun's works are characterized by their undulating, sinuous, and colorful forms, inspired by natural forms. He is considered one of the most prominent makers of Art Nouveau glass, alongside René Lalique, Emile Gallé, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Christopher Dresser, Friedrich Zitzman, and Karl Koepping.