Friedrich Zettl Fine Arts Blog
This blog mainly brings posts on art and culture. Some of the contributions deal with topics related to Chinese painting, calligraphy and philosophy. Another dominant aspect are articles on pictures by Friedrich Zettl. These are extensively illustrated with illustrations. There are also occasional articles on culture and philosophy of a general nature.
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Cyprus – Paphos
Back from a relaxing Cyprus vacation in Paphos. But I come back empty-handed: not a single drawing, not even sketches or ideas. But actually that was intended.
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Part II of hacked 2 times – scary again!
The reason why I write about this topic again is that such could possibly affect anyone with a wordpress account. Last week I reported on a very nasty hacker attack. Everything seems to be fine again – but…..
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Drafts for the Corona series and questions about them
For one of my exhibitions, which will be shown in Vienna next year, I chose the topic around covid-19. I think this is a subject that might be of some interest. We all suffered and still suffer from it in one form or another and so I thought that it might be of interest to see how a painter experienced the time, but above all how he implemented the phenomenon artistically.
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early sketchbook with Chinese minority people
Today I’m showing you a sketchbook that I’ve never taken out of the drawer. Maybe for a good reason? Actually, they are single sheets that I then mounted in a Chinese fan-fold album.
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hacked 2 times in 1 day – scary story!
Lately I’ve started some work on clouds. The point is not to represent different cloud formations true to nature, but to give the clouds a meaning that goes beyond “being a cloud”. Poem by Berthold Brecht.
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painting about a love poem
Lately I’ve started some work on clouds. The point is not to represent different cloud formations true to nature, but to give the clouds a meaning that goes beyond “being a cloud”. Poem by Berthold Brecht.
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triptych theme and variations
Music is undoubtedly one of the most important driving forces in my painting. This tryptic is based on theme and variations influenced by calssical music.
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state of the art – a couple of self portraits
For many years I painted a self-portrait every year. I called the series “State of the Art”. Unfortunately I stopped because I didn’t want to be perceived as a narcissist.
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better this time – I think
After I decided yesterday to throw away a piece of work I painted the basic idea of that work in a completely different version and I’m relatively satisfied with the result.
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it don’t come easy
When is a picture ready finished? I paint and paint and at some point a voice says: let go. It becomes more difficult when a painting does not “feel” finished.
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trying landscapes again
I took a break from my calligraphy-oriented work and made 2 studies for landscape paintings, which from my point of view have some good aspects.
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certificate of honor received
Yesterday I was given a certificate of honor for special achievements in the Austrian-Chinese relations.
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painted calligraphy
Since I’m not Chinese, one might wonder why I attach so much importance to this aspect of art. There are essentially 3 reasons: I consider traditional Chinese calligraphy to be one of the most challenging and superior art forms.
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power, elegance and savageness
I continue to paint a lot, but it’s getting harder and harder to surpass previous work. Maybe they look pretty much the same for some viewers anyway. For me, however, it is about certain issues that I would like to perfect over time.
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gestural painting a step further
The works from the series “gestural abstraction” now have content. No content in the sense that one is now figuratively led in a certain direction, but that psychological sensitivities or concepts from psychoanalysis are taken up.
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short question on making video clips
gestural painting, subconsciousness and archetypes in my series of gestural abstract paintings
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gestural painting, subconsciousness and archetypes
gestural painting, subconsciousness and archetypes in my series of gestural abstract paintings
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article by me in the China Report
The “China Report” # 179 is dedicated to the 50 years of diplomatic relations between Austria and China. As it is a special anniversary, the authors are particularly prominent in this issue. Austrian President van der Bellen, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, former Austrian and Chinese ambassadors, Federal Chancellor Kurz, to name just a few, wrote contributions on the occasion.
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almost thrown away
I have a few binders of work that I originally wanted to throw away. The reason? I mostly work on series. These have to follow a certain concept or thought. If a work does not fit in, it will be sorted out.
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The Essence of Chinese Painting (IX)
The Essence of Chinese Painting Part 3. This artivcle is dealing with the structure in Chinese painting by using some examples.
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if sharks were people
Among other things, Berthold Brecht wrote short stories, the “Stories from Mr. Keuner” are particularly well known. I would like to present a story here. If the sharks were people.
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burning down the snow
There has long been a phrase in my ideas treasure chest: burning snow. I’m not sure if this is a creation from myself. Probably born out of my intellectual confrontation with Schubert’s “Winterreise”. It can just as well come from a poem or even a pop song.
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white black red
As in most of my work ideas from Chinese painting and calligraphy flow into them. I would like to take this opportunity to point out a special aspect that is of essential importance for the understanding of East Asian art: the importance of the non-represented, the nothing, the white.
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triptych finished
The title of this triptych is a mountain. In principle, it shows 3 mountain peaks that together form a mountain. Just like the Chinese character for mountain 3 represents mountain peaks.
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nude drawing
Nude drawing is one of the most important pillars in a painter’s education. For me it has always been one of my weak points. These works are from the time I was at the academy and the time I started to enjoy life drawing.
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abstract landscape painting
Abstract landscape painting, ink on Yupo Paper
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paint away pain
Abstract landscape painting, ink and pastels on hand made paper. With Schubert as a source of energy.
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another couple of new works
Last weekend was another very productive one. I am working on a couple of series and was able to finish some work which can be added now. Like these painting of withered flowers, landscape, stones and abstract composition.
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a couple of new works
Last weekend was very productive. I am very satisfied with some of the works and would therefore like to present them.
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a step forward
For decades I have painted figurative. Almost 2 years ago I started to develop myself into abstract painting. Even if I haven’t found a definitive style, I’m pretty happy with my progress like this rocks and stones painting.
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Mu Qi. 6 Persimmons – an interpretation
6 Persimmons – an interpretation. Analyzing one of the most important Chinese paintings by the Zen monk Mu Qi
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a couple of new works added
I have again created some works for the current series gestural painting. They are all in A3 format and in ink on paper. As in the previous works, they are shaped by ideas and principles from traditional Chinese calligraphy.
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Easter Contribution
Painting and graphics related to politics and history. Albrech Dürer’s Christus am Kreuz overwritten with Mao Slogan.
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Another Work after Huang Binhong – 黄宾虹
Another painting after Huang Binhong. My painting and the original by Huang show the effort of capturing the spirit of the original.
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Recent Work: Day 7/7 the last one
Abstract painting of autumn in my garden. This is the final example with work for the past 2-3 weeks.
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Recent Work: Day 6/7 new bookmarks
Some more bookmarks. There are still lots of dried blossoms and leaves from last spring and autumn and I could do quite a few more of these.
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Recent Work: Day 5/7 Surrealism
With painters like Max Ernst, the world of painting opened up for me. Now I have painted an homage to Max Ernst. “The Triumph of Surrealism” from 1937.
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Recent Work: Day 4/7 gestural calligraphy
In the gestural calligraphy series, principles of traditional calligraphy are used to make random formations appear as if they were calligraphy.
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Recent Work: Day 3/7 blossom and calligraphy
Smaller painting with a single blossom and traditional Chinese calligraphy
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Recent Work: Day 2/7 with explanation
Mao Zedong slogan on old, decorative Romanian invoice from 1932
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Recent Work: Day 1/7
Painted calligraphy by writing various poems by Tang Yin (唐寅 1470–1524) on top of each other.
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Heralds of Spring – Ink on Paper
Ink painting with Heralds of Spring in Chinese style
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A few rays of sunshine for your weekend
After my old love for “The Blue Rider” flared up again and after a long beautiful walk through the Vienna Woods, this picture was then taken.
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A simple picture and yet a treasure – ZHA Shibiao
Small album sheet by the artist Zha Shibiao that looks very simple at first glance and only shows its charm and mastery when we take some time for a closer look and reflection.
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copying old masters – 黄宾虹
When copying Chinese paintings, one should grasp the spirit (qi 气) of the painting. The original on the left, my copies on the right.
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I’m only trying one site in Chinese
弗里德里希·蔡特尔（Friedrich Zettl）是奥地利艺术家，是文化大革命后第一位在北京中央艺术学院学习的欧洲学生
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my favorite Taoist – enjoy your day!
Photograph of a female Daoist from Shanghai laughing all over her face
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New work – with an explanation
Mao Poem on historical security which is designed in the finest Art Nouveau design. Overwritten with a Mao Zedong poem.
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linking anyone?
Since I started operating Internet sites decades ago, linking has always been a concern for me. But does it still have any meaning today? Are wordpress pages taken seriously by google?
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Another long article about me in a Chinese newspaper
Today, exactly on my birthday, another, this time longer article appeared in the Chinese daily newspaper Guangming ribao.
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The Essence of Chinese Painting (III)
The Essence of Chinese Painting Part 3. This artivcle is dealing with the structure in Chinese painting by using some examples.
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Chinese TV invited me for calligraphy
I was on Chinese TV 3 days ago showing me writing a couplet for Chinese New Year and talking a little about my life and years in China.
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withered leaves and blossoms
withered leaves and blossoms used for artworks, on paper, mixed media or just as bookmarks.
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just blossoms and buds
In Chinese painting, opposites play an important role: emptiness – existing, calm – movement, strength – weakness, etc. In a small series, I tried to capture and express some of these ideas.
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early woodcuts
A few examples of my earliest woodblocks as turn from Surrealism to Expressionism.
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Your opinion please!
asking for your opinion on my new calligraphy work
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After visting a great Gerhard Richter Exhibition in Wien
A small graphic as hommage to Gerhard Richter and Hideaki Yamanobe after visiting a very impressive exhibition by Gerhard Richter in Vienna.
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my love for old leaves
After I hadn’t painted for a long time due to my job, I started to sniff it again about a year ago. In order to regain my sensitivity as quickly as possible, I collected withered leaves and then blossoms and flowers in spring. The first thing I did with it were bookmarks.
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political connotations
Painting and graphics related to politics and history. Mostly Mao Zedong calligraphy painted on old western prints.
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another few newbies
Some more work on my series on painted calligraphy. 3 works in different techniques.
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analyzing a simple painting by Qi Baishi 齐白石
The Essence of Chinese Painting Part 2. Analyzing a the painting Chinese cabbage and peppers by Qi Baishi 齐白石
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out of the dark
A few years after the end of the Cultural Revolution, when I had the chance to live and study in China, I painted this picture: “Out of the dark”.
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the principle of the balance in chinese painting
The Essence of Chinese Painting Part 1. The principle of the balance in chinese painting.
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protective masks in 1980 in beijing
Oil painting “Protective masks in Beijing” from 1980. It shows people with protective masks in front of the “democracy wall”.
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new works
A lot is in progress, new series but also new to existing series, such as these two graphics with Mao Zedong calligraphies.
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sketches from the peking opera
When I studied in Beijing in the late 1970s – early 1980s, I lived near the opera building.
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student prank with Wang Ziwu 王子武
Copy of a painting by Wang Ziwu 王子武 with hen and chickens. Funny story of a student prank.
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when I first met Lu Yanshao 陸儼少
Traditionally, on Saturday mornings, the Academy invited well-known painters of classical Chinese painting to demonstrate their way of painting.
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index for landscape paintings added
A new page, an index for several series of landscape paintings, mainly works in ink on rice paper.
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landscape paintings in style of old masters
a new page introducing some landscape paintings after old Chinese masters like Shi Tao.
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landscape paintings
a new page: landscapes IV. in the next few days the remaining pages with landscape paintings will follow
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portraits – a new page
A new page has been added: Portraits. It links to 5 series of portraits and a page with previous portrait paintings.
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chinese seal carving
The Essence of Chinese Painting Part 4. Chinese seal carving.
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new site added: new works 2020
Portfolio: recent art work by friedrich zettl 狐胡
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new page with Mao poems
Mao poems: A new page with poems and quotations by Mao Zedong has been added.
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new homepage
new hoemapge introduction
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new category: key works
On this page, works are presented that show my development in art. They are not necessarily listed in chronological order, but they do document the time periods quite well.
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links to related sites
links to related sites
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portrait of a chinese man
Portrait of a Chinese man. The beginning of using ideas from the Chinese brush technique
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leaves and blossoms
For some time now I have been playing with dried leaves and flowers. Here are a few samples.
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calligraphy decision
As so often, I start to work on 2 or more pictures at the same time. In this case, it is primarily the size of the character on the right that makes the difference in the appearance of the image.
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painted calligraphy
Painted calligraphy. Page with seaval examples of Chinese characters rather painted than calligraphed.
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new listings
Today new examples from an older series called “dreamscapes” have been added. They basically follow the logic of Chinese calligraphy. Here is the link: landscapes V category landscape paintings | calligraphy decission
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portraits V
For many years my main focus has been painting portraits. As usual, I prefer to create a series with around 20-30 pieces of work. Then I switched to a new technique or style. Here are some of a series from 1985. https://zettl.blog/portraits-v listed in the category portrait painting