Hildegard Jone


Hildegard Jone was an Austrian poet and artist. As a poet she produced poetry collections and books throughout her life. She was also a painter and sculptor, with works infused with Expressionism and Christian imagery.
Many of her lyric poems were set to music by her colleague Anton Webern.

Life and career

Hildegard Jone was born Hildegard Huber on 1 June 1891 in Sarajevo of Austria-Hungary. Her parents were the architect Ludwig Huber and Amélie, both of whom encouraged her early interest in the arts. In 1908 Jone and her mother moved to Vienna so the former could attend the ', a women's art academy. At the Frauenakademie, her instructor was the sculptor Josef Humplik; the two would later marry in 1921.
As a visual artist, Jone created paintings and sculptures throughout her life. Her work was often Expressionist and infused with Christian imagery or inspiration. Jone was well acquainted with many other artists and writers of her time, including Peter Altenberg, Adolf Loos, and Karl Kraus, who became a spiritual mentor.
Jone is well known for her collaborations with the composer Anton Webern, who set her music numerous times. Webern's compositions on poems by Jone include the song cycles Drei Gesänge aus 'Viae inviae, Drei Lieder, the orchestral-choral work Das Augenlicht'' and both his first and second cantatas.
Jone died on 28 August 1963 in Purkersdorf, near Vienna. Purkersdorf's local museum includes a room dedicated to Jone and her husband.

Writings

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