Artwork
Hypnose bei Schrenck-Notzing
Hypnose bei Schrenck-Notzing is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Albert von Keller. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Albert von Keller’s 1893 oil painting *Hypnose bei Schrenck-Notzing* portrays a small, dimly lit interior where three figures are arranged in a tense tableau.
Albert von Keller’s 1893 oil painting *Hypnose bei Schrenck-Notzing* portrays a small, dimly lit interior where three figures are arranged in a tense tableau. A man in a dark coat leans over a seated companion whose head is thrown back, while a woman watches from the background. The sparse furnishings—a table, a window, and a chair—frame the scene, emphasizing the psychological interaction among the participants.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of hypnotic suggestion, a theme that resonated with contemporary interest in mesmerism and early psychology. The central male figure appears to be the subject of a hypnotic session, his posture suggesting vulnerability, while the standing man assumes the role of the hypnotist. The observing woman adds a layer of detached curiosity, hinting at the social intrigue surrounding such experiments in the late nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
Keller employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts between light and shadow to heighten the drama of the scene. The limited palette and softened edges create a sense of depth, while the illumination focuses attention on the two men, leaving the woman in relative penumbra. This approach aligns the painting with post‑impressionist tendencies toward expressive color and psychological atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1893, the painting entered the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in documenting German‑Swiss artistic production of the fin de siècle, particularly works that engage with contemporary scientific and cultural debates.
Context
During the 1890s, fascination with hypnotism and the emerging field of psychoanalysis permeated European intellectual circles. Keller, known for portraiture and interior scenes, incorporated this zeitgeist into his oeuvre, using the intimate setting to explore the power dynamics inherent in hypnotic practice.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albert von Keller (27 April 1844 in Gais, Switzerland – 14 July 1920 in Munich, Germany) was a German painter of Swiss ancestry. He specialized in portraits and indoor scenes. Female figures are a prominent feature of his work.
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