Franz Xaver Kosler (16 August 1864, Vienna – 15 December 1905, Syracuse, Sicily) was an Austrian painter; primarily known for his Orientalist portraits and genre scenes. Much of his work was done in Egypt and the Balkans.
Early life and education
Kosler was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1864. He studied painting at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Vienna, where he was influenced by the Orientalist paintings of Leopold Carl Müller. After graduating from the Akademie, Kosler traveled to Egypt, where he was fascinated by the country’s people and culture. He painted many portraits of Egyptians, as well as genre scenes depicting everyday life in Egypt.

Orientalist paintings
Kosler’s Orientalist paintings are characterized by their realism and attention to detail. He often painted his subjects in traditional Egyptian clothing and settings. His portraits are particularly notable for their psychological insight.
Genre scenes
Kosler’s genre scenes depict a variety of subjects, including street scenes, market scenes, and scenes of everyday life in Egypt and the Balkans. His genre scenes are often humorous and insightful, and they provide a glimpse into the world of the common people.
Later life and death
Kosler continued to paint throughout his life, and he exhibited his work in Vienna and other European cities. He died in Syracuse, Sicily, in 1905, at the age of 41.
Legacy
Kosler’s paintings are now in the collections of major museums around the world, including the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is considered one of the most important Austrian Orientalist painters of the late 19th century.

Here are some of Kosler’s most famous paintings:
- The Fellah (1894)
- The Water Carrier (1895)
- The Old Woman with the Water Jug (1896)
- The Storyteller (1897)
- The Harem (1898)