1910 - 1974, Gugging (Austria)

Until his illness Franz Gableck used to be a worker. According to his wife, he took good care of his family. Around the age of forty, he began suffering from hallucinations. When his state deteriorated, he had to be hospitalized in 1959.
He remained in the hospital until his death. One of the residents of the House of the Artists in Gugging, he started to draw. An activity to which he dedicated himself only in the manic phases. During such periods his pockets were filled with pencils, pens or chalks ; he drew all the time everywhere, on all supports he could get hold of.
He dated and signed all his drawings, often adding a title or dedication. In fact, all he drawings were dedicated to his doctor and the director of the center, Prof Navratil. However, the manic phase, which lasted about two years, gave way to several-year depression from which he never recovered. Gradually, he stopped drawing and refused all therapy which could have eased his suffering. Franz Gableck died of lung inflammation.

SEE ALSO : NAVRATIL (Leo). Die Künstler aus Gugging, Vienna, Berlin : Medusa, 1983.