Erwin Exner (1915 – 1995)

Born in 1915 as the son of a painter-decorator, Exner first studied at the Academy of Visual Arts in Vienna under Boeckl and Fahringer.
In 1939 he was drafted into the military. Although he was often stationed at the frontline during the war, he always had his paints and brushes with him to capture on paper the things which moved him. After the Second World War, he left the armed forces and settled down in Wagrain.

Erwin Exner was the head of the tourist office for many years and founded the local history museum association, whose honorary chairman he was until his death. This association was the predecessor to today`s „Blaues Fenster“ cultural association.

He was very active in Wagrain , working together with culture in the local community, founding a singing group, initiating sporting events and integrating himself in many local associations. For this reason he was presented with the “Golden Ring of Honour of Wagrain” in 1975.

Erwin Exner’s work often shows contemporary naturalistic depictions of people, plants and animals as well as his love of historical art treasures and architecture. Alongside flowers and animals in watercolour, he also painted many watercolour landscapes eg. of Wagrain or of the Mediterranean.. >>