Josef Hoffmann

Biography

Josef Franz Maria Hoffmann was born on December 15, 1870, in the town of Brtnice. He was an Austrian architect, designer, sculptor, teacher, and applied artist. Hoffmann studied under the renowned architect Otto Wagner. Throughout his professional career, he held several roles including artistic director, draftsman, furniture designer, jewelry designer, and interior designer. Hoffmann was regarded as one of the main representatives of Austrian modernism and was among the founders of the Vienna Workshops, the Austrian Werkbund, and the Vienna Secession. He is also recognized as one of the creators of European functionalist architecture. Among his notable works are the Purkersdorf Sanatorium and the Stoclet Palace. Hoffmann was connected to various cultural regions including Austria, Cisleithania, and the United States. He passed away on May 7, 1956, in Vienna.