Artwork

Nieder-oesterreich, Stadt Wien

Nieder-oesterreich, Stadt Wien, by Jakob Alt, 1839
Nieder-oesterreich, Stadt Wien, by Jakob Alt, 1839

Nieder-oesterreich, Stadt Wien is a print by Jakob Alt. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting shows a wide view of Vienna from a hill. The city sprawls below with winding rivers and neat rooftops. Trees dot the slopes in soft greens and browns.

Alt painted this in the 1830s. He used a tiny watercolor brush to add tiny details. You can almost count the windows on distant buildings.

Look up Jakob Alt (Austrian, 1789–1872) next.

Overview

Nieder-oesterreich, Stadt Wien, created circa 1839 by Austrian artist Jakob Alt, is a meticulously detailed watercolor work housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art. The piece presents a panoramic vista of Vienna from an elevated perspective.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a broad, serene landscape of Vienna, with the city unfolding below a hill, characterized by winding rivers, orderly rooftops, and trees in muted greens and browns, capturing the urban and natural harmony of the cityscape.

Technique & Style

Alt employed a tiny watercolor brush to achieve remarkable detail, allowing for the discernibility of individual windows on distant buildings, showcasing his precision and patience in capturing the city's architectural and topographical nuances.

History & Provenance

Created in the 1830s, the work is part of Jakob Alt's oeuvre (1789–1872). Currently, it is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

Painted during a time of relative peace in Vienna, the work reflects the city's appearance before significant urban transformations, offering a historical snapshot of its 19th-century layout and aesthetic.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct artistic legacies of 'Nieder-oesterreich, Stadt Wien' are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Alt's detailed watercolor landscapes and the historical documentation of Vienna's evolution.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jakob Alt

Artist

Jakob Alt

Jakob Alt was a German painter and lithographer.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.