Der Maler und Lithograf Josef Kriehuber (1800–1876)

About this artwork

Probszt 1927: Gemalt in Wien

Art Historical Context

In the heart of 19th-century Vienna, von Amerling, a master of Biedermeier portraiture, captured his fellow artist Josef Kriehuber in this oil on canvas from 1853. Measuring 61 × 47.5 cm, the painting depicts Kriehuber (1800–1876), a renowned painter and lithographer celebrated for his vivid portraits and caricatures that chronicled Viennese high society. Amerling's work, housed in the Belvedere Collection, exemplifies the's emphasis on precise realism and psychological depth, rendering subjects with luminous skin tones and refined details that convey both personal character and social standing. Painted in Vienna—as noted by Probszt in 1927—this portrait reflects the vibrant artistic community of the Biedermeier period, a time when Austria's cultural life flourished amid post-Napoleonic stability. Amerling, court painter to Emperor Franz Joseph I, elevated portraiture to an art form that blended classical composure with subtle individualism, making sitters like Kriehuber appear both approachable and distinguished. The modest scale suggests an intimate commission, perhaps a token of mutual respect between two leading figures in Vienna's creative circles. Today, this gem offers visitors a window into mid-19th-century artistic camaraderie, highlighting how oil portraits served as enduring tributes to peers, preserving their legacies in the Belvedere's distinguished holdings.