Artist Database

Born in Vienna, Austria in 1908, Otto Klar studied at the Wiener Kunstakademie (Vienna Art Academy). He exhibited his art in Vienna, Berlin, and Munich before emigrating to South Africa in 1939 on the cusp of World War II. Klar settled in Pretoria where he continued painting and held art classes – Alice Goldin was a student. He is well known for his rural landscapes, seascapes, and still lifes of beautiful bouquets in vases. During the 1950s and 60s, he also produced several abstract expressionist works. In 1962, Klar was awarded an honorary professorship by the State President of Austria. His works are in local collections such as the Pretoria Art Museum, Ann Bryant Art Gallery in East London, Durban Art Gallery, and the Witwatersrand Art Museum in Johannesburg.