One of the most famous art galleries in Europe, The Leopold Museum in Vienna hosts the art work exhibition “Into the Great Outdoors. From Waldmüller to Schindler,” dedicated to the development of the Austrian landscape painting, moving from Biedermeier and romanticism to impressionism. Young artists close to the circle of Emil Jacob Schindler, one of the main Impressionists of Austria, “Austrian Corot,” created “atmospheric landscapes” in the open air. Since the middle of the XIX century, they followed the French landscape painters. The current exhibition shows more than 80 best art works of Austrian landscape painters – paintings, watercolors, and even exclusive photos.

Photo credit: The Leopold Museum/leopoldmuseum.org

At the beginning of the XIX century in Austria landscape painting has not played an independent role. It served as a background either for a romantic portrait or for rural household scenes. Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, like many Biedermeier artists, initially used the landscape as a background. However, he became one of the reformers of Austrian painting, making a landscape painting an independent genre. Moreover, Waldmüller painted his best art works from nature, which were revolutionary for the time. For such audacity, he even had to leave his professorship at the Academy of Arts, and then the master fell out of favor at the court. However, the success at international exhibitions brought Waldmüller back the honor and respect.

Photo credit: The Leopold Museum/leopoldmuseum.org

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller was the predecessor of the Austrian romantic realists, led by Emil Jacob Schindler. Landscape painters of the Schindler circle drew inspiration from the great French painter and gifted printmaker in etching Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and the Barbizon school of painters. In search of expressive nature, they traveled to not only Austria but also worked in France, Italy, Hungary, and the Netherlands. In the coming century of industrialism, “atmospheric” landscape painters chose for their picturesque paintings untouched corners of nature. It is noteworthy that the female artists, students of Schindler, then worked alongside men. Best art works of female Austrian landscape painters are also presented at the current exhibition.

Photo credit: The Leopold Museum/leopoldmuseum.org

Every interested art admirer can appreciate the best art works of talented Austrian painters from 06.12.2018 to 28.04.2019 at The Leopold Museum in Vienna.