Watercolor on paper, mounted under mat
Austria, 19th century
Franz Alt (1821-1914) – Viennese painter and watercolorist
Signed lower right ‘Franz Alt’
Sheet size: 22.7 x 15.2 cm
Very good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Austria
An architectural view executed with fine brushstrokes with rich figural scene – a characteristic work by the Viennese artist; his small-scale watercolors fetch up to €11,000 at international auctions

Following the tradition of Viennese veduta painting, Franz Alt depicted a view of a cathedral in the present work. The impressive architecture rises before a blue sky, a religious procession is rendered in the foreground. The complex figural scene with a group of altar boys preceding a bishop under a canopy is rendered with the finest brushwork. Despite extensive travels, Alt was always at home in Vienna and captured views of his beloved city in numerous works.

The drawing is signed lower right ‘Franz Alt’. It is in very good condition. The sheet is mounted under a mat with the upper margin attached in two spots (reversible). The frame shows some wear with restoration. The framed work measures 43 x 35.5 cm, the sheet measures 22.7 x 15.2 cm.

Franz Alt (1821-1914)

Franz Alt was initially a pupil of his father. From 1836 onwards he attended St. Anna, specializing in portraiture. But it became quickly apparent that his real interest lay with landscape painting. In 1844 he embarked on his first study trip to in Tyrol and Upper Italy, together with his father. In 1849 Alt received a commission to document the Tarvisio region from Count Casimir Esterházy. Over two summers the painter created more than 40 watercolors , which were later compiled in an album. Thanks to the Count more commissions from the Hungarian nobility followed. Together with his patrons, Alt traveled through central and southern Europe, capturing his impressions in sketches and drawings. By the mid-19th century Franz Alt was a renowned painter. He was more sought after than his brother Rudolf, was represented in numerous exhibitions and also enjoyed great commercial success. His oeuvre includes over 2,000 works on paper.

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