Albrecht Gehse (1955) - Portrait

A highly expressive and historically resonant portrait by German painter Albrecht Gehse (b. 1955), one of the most distinctive contemporary portraitists in Central Europe. Gehse is known for portraying influential personalities from politics, culture and business; his works have been shown in Berlin, Leipzig, Frankfurt and are held in numerous private collections.

This artwork originates directly from the liquidation of VAF Pfaffelhuber GmbH.
Based on this provenance and the unmistakable physiognomic similarity, it is presumed that the sitter may be the well-known entrepreneur Ulrich J. Pfaffelhuber.
No official confirmation of the sitter’s identity is available.

The piece gains additional cultural depth through its connection to a notable moment in recent Austrian social history:
During the Vienna Opera Ball 2014, one of the most widely reported editions of the event, several major media outlets – including Spiegel, ORF, Die Presse, Focus and others – documented an incident involving Pfaffelhuber near the famous Lugner box. Publicly available video recordings and news reports show him becoming involved in a physical altercation which received international attention.

This context gives the portrait a unique narrative value, merging contemporary art with a moment that became part of modern Opernball history.

Gehse’s typical mixed-media technique is fully present here: layered colour, expressive contours, psychological intensity and a strong stage-like composition. The painting has a striking, museum-worthy presence.

Details
Artist: Albrecht Gehse (1955)
Title: Portrait (Mixed Media), 2015
Technique: Mixed media on canvas
Signature: Hand-signed “A Gehse 2015”
Provenance: VAF Pfaffelhuber GmbH (liquidation)
Motif: Portrait (attributed)
Dimensions: approx. 70,3 × 83,5 cm (excluding frame)

Condition: Very good

Large original by a recognized contemporary portrait painter
Rare combination of art + documented social history
Strong provenance
Impressive decorative and collector appeal

All details in the listing are correct to the best of my knowledge. Provenance can be supported with the original invoice from the liquidation. Please let me know if further photos or measurements are required.