Richard Gerstl (September 14, 1883 - November 4, 1908) was an Austrian painter. Richard Gerstl began painting in the style of the Vienna Secession. Later around 1905, his approach became more unique and Expressionist. His portraits are praised for their psychological insight, the most famous of these done of the family of composer Arnold Schoenberg. In August 1908, Schoenberg's wife Mathilde went to Vienna with Gerstl, leaving behind her husband and their children. She returned in October of the same year. The next month, Gerstl committed suicide after burning most of his paintings. He was 25 years old.
The episode had a significant impact on Arnold Schoenberg work and his opera Die Glückliche Hand (The Lucky Hand) is said to be based on these events.
