Eugene von Blaas

An Italian painter born to Austrian parents, Eugene von Blaas, also known as Eugene de Blaas, became a late 19th to early 20th century figure and genre painter in the style of Academic Classicism. He was most associated with Venetian subjects, especially voluptuous female water carriers. Many of his scenes, painted either in oil or watercolor, suggest male and female flirtation between fisher folk as they go about their daily business. The artist often used his wife, Paola Prina, as a model.

He was born in Albino, near Rome and moved to Venice as a young man with his family because his father, Karl von Blaas, a history and fresco painter, became Professor at the Art Academy. Eugene studied with his father, but chose different subject matter. He also studied at the Academy in Venice and the Academy of Rome.

Eugene von Blaas had extensive exposure to his work through exhibitions including the Esposizione Nationale exhibitions in Venice and the Jubilaums Austellungs in Vienna and Municht. In London, his paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy, the New Gallery and the Grafton Gallery.

Eugene von Blaas died in Venice in 1932.