Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max: A Visionary of Mysticism and Anthropology Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max (1840-1915) was a profoundly singular figure in 19th-century Austrian art, an artist whose work defies easy categorization. Born in Prague to a sculptor father and a musician mother, his early life fostered a deep appreciation for both artistic expression and intellectual curiosity. He wasn’t simply a painter; he was a collector of anthropological artifacts, a student of esoteric philosophies, and a meticulous observer of the human condition – all these facets profoundly shaped his un…