Biography
Dagobert Peche (St. Michael 1887 - 1923 Mödling), Vienna
The versatile artist first studied mechanical engineering and architecture at the Technical University and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. However, his passion was drawing, decor and ornament were particularly important to him. He first found his models in the opulent Baroque, then in the works of the Vienna Secession and the ornamental style of the English graphic artist Aubrey Beardsley. As early as 1911, he received several awards at exhibitions and competitions, including the Austrian State Prize, which enabled him to spend two months in Paris for study purposes. In 1914, he furnished the Austrian House at the Werkbund exhibition in Cologne with his carpets, curtains and wallpaper. Josef Hoffmann subsequently invited him to join the Wiener Werkstätte and set up and lead the artist workshops. Already in 1916 Peche became deputy director of the company. From 1915 to 1923, he took responsibility for almost 3000 designs for the Wiener Werkstätte, with a brief interruption when he was drafted into military service in the First World War. There was no medium, no material that he did not provide with his characteristic decorations: fabrics for walls, floors, furniture and clothing, bobbin lace and lace work, furniture, tableware and vases, jewelry made of various materials, book covers, stationery, graphics. From 1917-19 he was in Zurich to set up the Wiener Werkstätte branch based on his own designs. Back in Vienna, Peche's works were exhibited once more at the 1920 Vienna Art Show. The artist's tireless work came to an abrupt end with his early death in 1923.
