In spite of his artistic ambitions, the young Gusztáv Zettl (1852-1917), chose to carry on the business in the family distillery out of respect for his parents. He never gave up his dreams concerning his artistic career, though. He was a very talented student at the Painters' Academy in Vienna, and his enthusiasm for painting endured all through his life. The experiences he collected during his foreign studies had a great influence on his professional development. Being a noble-minded amateur, he became addicted to real grand-style art, and began to collect antiquities from the ever-growing profits of the family business. He got enthusiastically involved in the archeological work carried out in Sopron, where rich finds were revealed during the foundation stage of every new building. The civilian homes of the last century were equipped with a large variety of Biedermeier furniture, antique pictures, as well as dishes made of tin and china. Gusztáv Zettl was destined for a long life, so besides his enthusiasm for painting he continually expanded his collection. His artistic and intellectual legacy is handled by his descendants (his great-great grandchild and family, who still live in Sopron) as well as a public foundation. The collection home interiors has been exhibited in an unchanged form since 1955. The family members introduce the history of Sopron and its surroundings through objects from different ages. Visitors will surely enjoy the rich collectin of furniture, haban crocks, faience and china dishes, weapons, trade-signs, tin objects, books, and valuable pictures.
The studio of the artist has been left intact since his death; it is a good example of a cosy home using unique solutions.
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