Who painted Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern?

Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern was painted by Karl von Blaas in 1870.

Where can I see Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern?

Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern?

Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern is associated with Biedermeier.

Artwork

Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern

Karl von Blaas , 1870

Archduke Karl of Austria at the Battle of Aspern is an oil painting by the Biedermeier artist Karl von Blaas. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Karl von Blaas’s oil canvas portrays Archduke Karl of Austria amid the 1809 Battle of Aspern. Executed in the Biedermeier tradition, the work belongs to the genre of history painting and is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection in Vienna.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a cavalry officer in a red‑white uniform, raises a yellow flag while a companion in a dark green coat waves a black hat. Around them, soldiers in varied poses—lying, kneeling, or standing with swords and firearms—convey the turmoil of the battlefield and the archduke’s leadership role.

Technique & Style

Blaas employs chiaroscuro to model forms and create spatial depth, directing attention to the illuminated central riders against a cloud‑filled sky of blue, pink and white. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of uniforms with broader atmospheric effects, characteristic of Biedermeier realism.

History & Provenance

Painted in 1870, the canvas reflects von Blaas’s reputation for portraiture and religious subjects rendered in oil and fresco. After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Austrian historical collection.

Context

The Battle of Aspern, fought in May 1809, was a pivotal clash between Austrian and French forces during the Napoleonic Wars. By choosing this moment, von Blaas aligns his work with the 19th‑century Austrian interest in national military heritage, a theme frequently explored in Biedermeier art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Karl von Blaas

Karl von Blaas (28 April 1815 – 19 March 1894) was an Austrian painter known for his portraits and religious compositions executed on canvas as well as in the form of frescoes.