Johann Hauser Austrian, 1926-1996

Johann Hauser was born in Bratislava in 1926, and during World War II, his family relocated to Austria. Hauser was intellectually challenged and had phases of mania, which his mother was unable to manage. In 1947, after spending time in various institutions, he was admitted to the Maria Gugging Psychiatric Clinic, on the outskirts of Vienna, Austria. 

It was there, during a series of diagnostic tests, that psychiatrist Leo Navratil discovered Hauser’s remarkable drawing talent. In 1981, Navratil established the Center for Art and Psychotherapy at Gugging, offering housing and dedicated workspace to more than a dozen Gugging artist-patients—including Hauser, Johann Garber, Johann Korec, and Oswald Tschirtner. Navratil’s successor, Johann Feilacher, renamed the center the "House of Artists" in 1986. This separate facility allowed Hauser and his fellow artists to live and work independently from the main hospital, fostering a more creative environment.

Hauser primarily used colored pencils to create drawings, frequently featuring animals and highly sexualized women. Navratil noted that Hauser’s art was deeply influenced by his mental state: during manic phases, his works were large, colorful, and intricate, while in depressive periods, his art became darker and more abstract, often featuring geometric forms. 

Hauser experienced severe mood swings that made independent living impossible. His condition was managed with varying success, however, by 1986, after Navratil’s retirement, his treatment allowed him to live symptom-free. During this time, he focused on his personal relationships and social life. After three years, Hauser returned to drawing, and his later works reflected his enduring talent, demonstrating that even without the extremes of his manic episodes, he maintained the creativity and confidence to produce remarkable artwork.