The Viennese artist Richard Gerstl (1883–1908), whose artistic career spanned four to six years, refused to exhibit his work in any form during his lifetime. His early, self-inflicted, dramatic death led to the destruction of many of his works, and there are hardly any personal artifacts left behind by the artist.

This volume fills that gap by presenting his complete works. In his subjects—portraits, nudes, and landscapes—Gerstl succeeded in breaking away from the conventions of salon painting, applying paint in an increasingly impasto and free manner, and thus creating works that can be counted among the most modern of his time.