Muliar is the Greatest

On the 12 December 2024, Fritz Muliar would have turned 105 years old. On that very day, a collection of personal items from the estate of the acclaimed artistic husband and wife, Fritz and Franziska Muliar will go up for auction.

Fritz Muliar and Franziska Muliar-Kalmar were influential figures in both the Austrian art world and the political arena. Documents and photographs from their estate, now up for auction, provide a vivid snapshot of the post-war period when they were are the height of their careers.

Fritz Muliar gained recognition as an actor, comedian, writer and director, while Franziska Muliar-Kalmar, who was also an actress, devoted many years to charitable causes including Amnesty International. She became a familiar face to Austrian television viewers as ORF’s first newsreader in 1955. The couple lived a life “full of love and respect”. Their sons, Alexander and Martin Muliar, hope the auction will honour their parents’ contribution to society. The family home in Gross-Enzersdorf near Vienna, was a lively meeting place for actors, painters and politicians. Fritz Muliar enjoyed a lifelong friendship with the actress, Elfriede Ott. The screen and stage star was known for his versatility, excelling in both comedic and dramatic roles. In the 1970s, he won the hearts of German-speaking audiences with his portrayal of the title character in the TV series Die Abenteuer des braven Soldaten Schwejk (The Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk). He was a familiar presence in countless films, a regular at the Salzburg Festival and a celebrated star at Vienna’s Burgtheater. He continued his association with the Theater in der Josefstadt until the end of his life.

Franziska Kalmar-Muliar (1929–2024) died in April this year, having kept her husband’s study untouched since his death. The calendar on Fritz Muliar’s personal desk was perpetually left open to 3rd May 2009, the day before he died. Keepsakes up for auction, which include furniture, antiques, certificates and awards, testify to the many significant encounters that took place in the Muliar home. Fritz Muliar was honoured with numerous awards throughout his career, for example the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art. Highlights of the sale include correspondence with politicians, portrait photographs inscribed with heartfelt dedications from fellow artists such as Herbert von Karajan, Curd Jürgens, Hans Moser, Gottfried von Einem and Friedrich Torberg, as well as works of art personally dedicated by Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Lotte Profohs. The collection also includes autographs by Arthur Schnitzler, Roda Roda and Peter Rosegger, among others.

Two chairs from the original seating of the Theater in der Josefstadt hold special memories for the sons. They were placed in their father’s study, where the actor wrote his books. Gustav Peichl, also known as “Ironimus”, had given Fritz Muliar a caricature of Dr Bruno Kreisky, the dedication of which began with what is probably the former Austrian Chancellor’s most famous quip: “I AM OF THE OPINION … MULIAR IS THE GREATEST”