A Life in Vienna Born on 22 July 1831 in Vienna, Austria, Josef Hoffmann lived a life defined by the diverse demands of the visual arts. He was not merely a painter, but a man whose creative reach extended into lithography, graphic design, and stage design. His presence in the Austrian capital was marked by a steady hand and a versatile intellect. His career spanned several decades of significant change in the late nineteenth century. By the time he passed away on 31 January 1904, he had left behind a body of work that reflected both his technical skill and his varied professional interests.…