19th Century Paintings

Thematic variety is the phrase that best describes the art of the 19th century. This period is characterised by the various styles that developed in rapid succession after 1800. Renewed interest in the landscape gave art an additional thematic repertoire with virtually endless creative possibilities.

By the end of the century, the wonderfully sensitive views of Biedermeier painting evolved into impressionistically and even expressively executed interpretations of nature. In addition to local landscapes, it is the southern regions and particularly the adventurous journeys to the Orient that still fascinate viewers today. Superbly staged historical themes, authentic portrait depictions, and delightfully arranged floral still lifes on porcelain and canvas regularly round out the offerings at im Kinsky.

Painters such as Friedrich Gauermann and Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller discovered the landscape and the life of the “simple” people and depicted them in frequently small-scale images that are picturesque and distinctive. But Waldmüller’s portraits and genre scenes are no less captivating, making him, along with Friedrich Amerling, one of the most popular portraitists of his time.

Outstanding highlights of the past years have included Waldmüller’s “An Old Invalid with Children”, for which the winning bid was € 137,000, and Amerling’s “Venetian Woman”, which fetched € 44,500.

In the second half of the century, female artists began playing an important role in the art world as well. Paintings by Olga Wisinger-Florian, Marie Egner, and Tina Blau take viewers into the world of blossoming landscapes and bring the four seasons home in the form of opulent flower pictures. Their works enjoy great popularity at our auctions: in recent years, numerous paintings by Olga Wisinger-Florian, for example, have gone under the hammer, including “Gloxinias in the Glasshouse”, for which the winning bid was € 239,500.

With his expert eye, Rudolf von Alt—the undisputed master of the watercolour—captured even the smallest detail in his works. He was highly skilled in utilising striking plays of light and colour to create his city views, landscapes, and architectural depictions. His works regularly set off animated bidding battles, and it is thus no wonder that his watercolour “Salzburg with the Salzach” sold for an impressive € 227,000.

It is of utmost importance to us to meet our high quality standards and your expectations. For this reason, we place great emphasis on exhaustive research and always take into consideration the latest research findings. We conscientiously cultivate cooperation with experts and institutions in Austria and abroad. We place this expertise as well as our collected experience at the service of our customers.

Current catalogues

Great names at a glance

• Franz von Defregger
• Olga Wisinger-Florian
• Friedrich Gauermann
• Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller
• Hans Makart
• Anton Romako
• Josef Danhauser
• Emil Jakob Schindler
• Tina Blau
• Rudolf von Alt
• Marie Egner
• Albin Egger-Lienz
• Robert Russ
• Eugen von Blaas
• Friedrich von Amerling
• Theodor von Hörmann

Top auction results