Otto Hofner

• Name — Otto Hofner • Occupation — Sculptor • Born — 29 March 1879 • Birthplace — Vienna, Austria-Hungary • Died — 13 March 1946 • Place of death — Vienna, Austria

Otto Hofner began his artistic journey by serving a four-year apprenticeship as a goldsmith, engraver, and chiseller. Furthering his education, Hofner attended the University of Applied Arts Vienna under Stefan Schwartz from 1898. His passion for arts led him to undertake study trips to Paris, Holland, Belgium, and London, enriching his artistic exposure.

From 1904 to 1915, Hofner dedicated himself to teaching at the cooperative school for gold- and silversmiths in Vienna. During this period, he also worked as an independent artist, deepening his knowledge of sculpture through travels to Paris and London. Hofner was a prolific creator of funerary monuments, busts, portrait reliefs, medals, plaques, and sculptures. His artistic works also included pieces for public spaces and municipal housing during the Red Vienna period (1918–1934), a time when Vienna was predominantly governed by the Social Democrats.

Otto Hofner was notable for his participation in the Olympic Art Competitions. He competed as a three-time Olympian in the Art Competitions from 1932 to 1948. In the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, he received an Honorable Mention for his work "Ringkampf" (Wrestling Match). His sculpture "Boxer," presented in the 1932 Olympic Games, was later acquired by the Municipal Collections of Vienna in 1935. Hofner's artistic style was influenced by Art Nouveau, and he worked in a variety of media including bronze, marble, granite, pewter, terracotta, stucco, glass, and porcelain.

The canonical record carries the following identifying particulars.

The following works and productions are recorded by name or by count. It is also recorded that otto Hofner is recorded with the occupation sculptor. Institutional cataloguing adds that otto Hofner is recorded with the occupation medalist. Recorded with the occupation artist. Recorded as a citizen of Austria. It is also recorded that otto Hofner is recorded with the gender male. Institutional cataloguing adds that otto Hofner was born on 29 March 1879. Hofner died on 13 March 1946.