Josef Wenzel Viktor Josephu was born at Kendlerstrasse 32, Breitensee, Vienna. After studies in Graz, he returned to Vienna in 1904 with his family and entered the K.K. Staats-Gewerbeschule (State Trade School of Vienna). Later, in 1907, he entered the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. He interrupted his studies during World War I, where he received a serious head wound, but later continued his studies at the Academy, and was granted the title of ‘professor’ by the Professoren-Kollegium der Akademie Bildenden Kunst in July of 1919.

During his studies, Josef received numerous monetary awards: From 1908-1911 he won the Gsellhofer-Stipendium (stipend) 170 Kronen annually; then the Aushilfsfon-Stipendium of Kronen 1911-1915 and then again in 1918. In 1913 Josef received the Hof-Preis: II Preis Silver-Medal and 6 Ducats, in 1919 the Duba-Preis of 1460 Kronen.