Who painted Still Life?

Still Life was painted by Josef Neugebauer in 1859.

Where can I see Still Life?

Still Life is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Still Life?

Still Life is associated with Biedermeier.

Can I buy a print of Still Life?

Museum-quality prints of Still Life are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Still Life

Josef Neugebauer , 1859

Still Life is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Josef Neugebauer. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1859, this oil painting by Josef Neugebauer presents a traditional still‑life arrangement. The work is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. Its composition centers on a wicker basket overflowing with game birds, surrounded by assorted produce, rendered against a muted, indistinct background that draws the eye to the foreground elements.

Subject & Meaning

The tableau features a group of waterfowl—ducks and a pheasant—together with a few tomatoes, a cabbage, and a simple clay vessel. By juxtaposing freshly caught birds with garden vegetables, the painting evokes themes of abundance and the cycle of harvest, inviting contemplation of the relationship between the hunt and the cultivated table.

Technique & Style

Neugebauer employs a pronounced impasto technique, building up thick layers of paint especially on the birds' plumage. This tactile approach gives the feathers a three‑dimensional quality, while the surrounding items are rendered with smoother brushwork. The contrast between the sharply detailed foreground and the softened, darkened background enhances the sense of depth and materiality.

History & Provenance

The work entered the holdings of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum shortly after its creation, though the precise acquisition date is not recorded in the available sources. Since its arrival, the painting has been catalogued as part of the museum’s 19th‑century European oil collection, reflecting the period’s interest in realistic still‑life subjects.