Born 1919 in Carinthia, Austria

Died 2014 in Vienna, Austria

Maria Lassnig is internationally regarded as one of the leading painters of her generation. She coined and developed the notion of Körpergefühlsmalerei (body awareness painting), expressing the subjective sensation of the physical body through painting. A pioneer of female emancipation in a male-dominated art world, Lassnig was the first female professor of painting in the German-speaking world, at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna. She also co-founded the feminist avant-garde group Women/Artist/Filmmakers, Inc. in New York and represented Austria at the 39th Venice Biennale in 1980.

Her current and recent exhibitions include Kunsthaus Zürich, in a major presentation alongside Edvard Munch (until 21 February 2027); Luma Westbau, Zurich (until 20 December); Fondation Vincent van Gogh, Arles; Hamburger Kunsthalle; Halle für Kunst, Graz; Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana; UCCA, Beijing; Kunstmuseum Bonn; Albertina, Vienna; Lenbachhaus, Munich; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Kunstmuseum Basel; Tate Liverpool; MoMA PS1, New York; Museum Ludwig, Cologne; and Serpentine Gallery, London, among others.

Lassnig received numerous major accolades, including the Grand Austrian State Prize; the Roswitha Haftmann Prize, City of Zurich; the Rubens Prize of the City of Siegen; the Max Beckmann Prize, City of Frankfurt; and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Her work is held in the most prominent collections, including The Museum of Modern Art, New York; Centre Pompidou, Paris; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; and Museum Ludwig, Cologne.