Joseph Urban Paintings

Joseph Urban was an Austrian-American architect, illustrator, and scenic designer born on May 26, 1872, in Vienna, Austria. He studied architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and quickly became interested in set design through his work at the Burgtheater. In 1911, he was appointed as the scenic director at the Boston Opera House, which prompted his move to the United States.

Urban's reputation in America grew as he became known for his innovative set designs and use of color in productions for the Ziegfeld Follies and the Metropolitan Opera. His work was characterized by a blend of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, and he made significant contributions to the development of American scene design with his elaborate and exotic visions.

In addition to set design, Urban was a prolific architect. He contributed to the New School for Social Research and the Hearst Magazine Building in New York City, both of which are notable examples of Art Deco architecture. He also designed the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, for Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Joseph Urban's influence extended to the world of film as well, where he worked as an art director. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for his work on the film 'The Affairs of Cellini' in 1934. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the outcome as he passed away on July 10, 1933, in New York City. Urban's legacy lives on through his contributions to architecture, theater design, and the visual arts, and he is remembered as a visionary who helped shape the aesthetic of the early 20th century in America.