Of Austrian origin, Franz Kernbeis was the youngest in a family of seven children. The boy attended primary school for eight years, then worked in his parents’ agricultural concern. In 1955, he was admitted to the psychiatric and neurological hospital of Maria Gugging, Austria, following psychological disturbances. At the beginning of his stay Franz Kernbeis was locked in near-total mutism. He would remain immobile for hours or walk around in circles with his eyes closed.

He commenced his art production at the age of 44 in the setting of the Haus der Künstler (House of Artists), a place of residence and creation where certain inmates of the establishment lived.

Using crayons, Franz Kernbeis produces large compositions featuring human figures, animals and vehicles. Over the course of the years his condition has improved. Apart from the time that he devotes to drawing, he likes to take long walks and looks after a flower bed in front of the institution.