Thomas Bernhard and his grandfather Johannes Freumbichler

In literary reference works Johannes Freumbichler is most often mentioned only with a few lines. He would perhaps have faded into oblivion if it were not for Thomas Bernhard's autobiographical work, in which he writes about his grandfather, the 'one human being of essential importance in my life and existence,' and 'my only teacher.' -- In this work Caroline Markolin has created a portrait of the man and writer from Freumbichler's letters preserved in Salzburg which show us an eventful and moving life, the tragic life of the artist.