Silvia Koller (Daughter of the artist), 1926

The family of Broncia Koller-Pinell (1863–1934) owned a textile factory in Oberwaltersdorf near Baden, situated some 35 km outside of Vienna, which became a popular meeting place for artists, scientists, musicians and philosophers from 1904. The villa was refurbished by Josef Hoffmann (1870–1956) and furnished by Koloman Moser (1868–1918) and Koller-Pinell. After marrying the physicist and physician Hugo Koller (1867–1949) in 1896, she started acting as a patron to younger colleagues, including Egon Schiele (1890–1918) and Albert Paris-Gütersloh (1887–1973). She gave birth to her son Rupert (1861–1927) in 1896, followed two years later by her daughter Silvia (1898–1966) who also became a painter. In 1920, Rupert, who later worked as a conductor, married the 16-year-old daughter of Alma (1879–1964) and Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), Anna Mahler (1904–1988). In the 1910 Self-Portrait the artist is looking directly at the beholder and assumes a self-confident stance. She is holding a pink carnation which has been a symbol for love and devotion since the Renaissance. The background hints at corner in the room, investing the depiction with depth.

EF, 2021