Notes

Othmar Ruzicka was born in Vienna, Austria, 1877. He began his studies in the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Where he was taught by artists such as, Julius Victor Berger, August Eisenmenger, and Kasimir Pochwalski.

Ruzicka enjoyed painting genre scenes, such as the fairs, balls, weddings, and other festive affairs. He also painted the poorer residents, and how they made a living. This included paintings of broom making, basket weaving, and more.

During the First World War Ruzicka was originally assigned as an artillery officer in 1915, but he was transferred as war painter for the Imperial and Royal War Press Office. Where in 1918 he worked on the Balkan front in Albania. After the war, Ruzicka settled lower Austria, eventually painting Fröllersdorf and then many years later Hüttendorf.

In his career Ruzicka received numerous awards, such as a Small Golden State Medal for his oil paining Slovak peasants in 1913. The Drasche Prize in 1912, and the Golden Laurel of the Vienna Künstlerhaus in 1947, for his painting The Confession. Then in 1948, by Federal President Dr. Karl Renner, Ruzicka was awarded the title of Professor.

Through his portrayals of everyday life, he shows no romanticization of the village image. Rather showcases the daily life through sincerity and warmth. Ruzicka will remain known through his genre paintings, and the honest livings depicted within them.