Arnold Schönberg

Portrait of Arnold Schönberg by Franz Xaver Setzer

This photograph captures Arnold Schönberg, a significant figure of the early 20th century, as he appeared in 1922. The portrait was taken in Vienna, Austria, within the studio of Franz Anton Adolf Setzer. It is a quiet moment preserved from a specific period in the composer's life, documenting his presence in the city during the early 1920s.

The session took place in February or March of 1922. Schönberg did not visit the studio alone; he was accompanied by his pupil, Alban Berg. While the two were together at the studio, they were not photographed as a pair. Instead, the artist focused on the individual presence of the composer, resulting in a singular study of his likeness.

The work provides a direct look at the subject during a transformative era in music and society. We see the man through the lens of Setzer's specific approach to portraiture in Vienna. The details of the sitting include:

• The subject: Arnold Schönberg
• The artist: Franz Anton Adolf Setzer
• The date of creation: 1922
• The location: Vienna, Austria

Visual Composition and Subject Details

This black and white photograph captures a moment of quiet intensity. The subject is presented in a formal suit and tie, his attire suggesting a sense of occasion or a professional setting. He holds a cigarette in his mouth, appearing to be in the middle of smoking, which lends a candid, unposed quality to the portrait. The focus remains fixed on his facial expression and the specific lines of his clothing, creating an intimate study of character.

The composition is layered, providing a sense of depth to the studio environment. While the man remains the central figure, the background is not entirely empty. Two other people are partially visible behind him, though their presence is secondary to the primary subject. This subtle inclusion suggests a busy, social atmosphere within the studio, even as the lens remains fixed on the man in the foreground.

• Black and white photographic medium
• Subject wearing a formal suit and tie
• Presence of a cigarette in the mouth
• Partially visible figures in the background

Provenance and Current Collections

The history of this photograph follows the personal lineage of the subject, moving from the private sphere into significant institutional hands. The provenance begins with the composer himself, Arnold Schoenberg, in Los Angeles. From there, the work remained within the family, held by Gertrud Schoenberg in Los Angeles, and later by Lawrence and Ronald Schoenberg, also in Los Angeles. The lineage continues through Nuria Schoenberg Nono in Venezia.

Today, the work is preserved within specialized archives dedicated to the composer's legacy. It is part of the collections held by the Arnold Schoenberg Institute in Los Angeles and the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna. This institutional stewardship ensures the photograph remains connected to the historical record of the Second Viennese School.

• Arnold Schoenberg, Los Angeles
• Gertrud Schoenberg, Los Angeles
• Nuria Schoenberg Nono, Venezia
• Lawrence and Ronald Schoenberg, Los Angeles
• Arnold Schoenberg Institute, Los Angeles
• Arnold Schönberg Center, Vienna