The art world is mourning the loss of Gerhard Häupler, an award-winning Austrian painter who specialized in creating portraits of criminals and murderers in his final years. The 83-year-old Vienna-based artist, who earned the nickname "Painter of Murderers," passed away with little fanfare, embodying the reclusive nature that defined his later career. One of his final works featured a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Häupler lived and died as he painted - quietly and largely unnoticed by the broader public. His death notice lists no surviving family members, containing only a haunting quote from French writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline: "Truth is an endless torment. The truth of this world is death." His funeral is scheduled for November 5 at 10:30 AM at the Feuerhalle Wien-Simmering crematorium, where fewer than five mourners are expected to attend.
The artist's journey into criminal portraiture began unexpectedly through his connection with prominent lawyer Astrid Wagner. During his younger years, Häupler had spent time in prison where he painted portraits of fellow inmates, later perfecting his craft at the Vienna Art School. "She suggested I create a portrait of Jack Unterweger," Häupler once explained, referring to the notorious Austrian serial killer. However, his first attempt was criticized as making Unterweger appear "too fat," prompting him to create several more versions until Wagner was satisfied.
Wagner's law office now displays an unusual gallery of Häupler's criminal portraits, including depictions of Josef Fritzl, the man who imprisoned his daughter for 24 years, serial killer Jack Unterweger, and double murderer Estibaliz C. Wagner praised the late artist's unique talent, describing him as "one of the most brilliant artists ever - authentic and strong, yet sensitive and living a withdrawn life. A true artist's soul."
Häupler's decision to focus on painting criminals stemmed from his desire to expose and examine evil through art. His approach was both psychological and artistic, attempting to capture not just the physical appearance of notorious figures but something deeper about the nature of evil itself. "The evil ones never run out!" he once remarked, referring to his seemingly endless supply of subjects.
Despite his awards and recognition within certain circles, Häupler remained largely unknown to the general public. His reclusive nature and constant questioning of the world around him kept him away from the spotlight that many artists seek. He was described as misanthropic, preferring the solitude of his studio in Vienna's Floridsdorf district to public appearances or exhibitions.
The artist's death marks the end of a unique chapter in contemporary Austrian art, where one man's fascination with the darker aspects of human nature produced a body of work that challenged viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. His legacy lives on in the portraits that continue to hang in Wagner's office and in the memory of those who recognized his exceptional, if unconventional, artistic vision.
