Who painted Altenhausen bei Freysing?

Altenhausen bei Freysing was painted by Max Joseph Wagenbauer in 1821.

Where can I see Altenhausen bei Freysing?

Altenhausen bei Freysing is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Altenhausen bei Freysing?

Altenhausen bei Freysing is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Altenhausen bei Freysing

Max Joseph Wagenbauer , 1821

Altenhausen bei Freysing is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Max Joseph Wagenbauer. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1821 by Max Joseph Wagenbauer, *Altenhausen bei Freysing* is a drawing executed on blue paper. The artist employed black and chalk lines, enhanced with white highlights and a gray wash, to render a forested landscape beneath a clear sky. The blue ground of the paper serves as a tonal base, allowing the dark foliage and the lighter sky to stand out distinctly.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a densely wooded area where slender trunks rise vertically against an expansive, bright sky.

The composition depicts a densely wooded area where slender trunks rise vertically against an expansive, bright sky. The forest floor is rendered with rapid, sketchy strokes that suggest a rugged, uneven terrain. While no narrative is explicitly stated, the work conveys a quiet, natural setting, inviting contemplation of the interplay between the forest’s shadowed interior and the open atmosphere above.

Technique & Style

Wagenbauer combines line drawing with chiaroscuro, using black chalk to define the trees and white heightening to accentuate illuminated edges. A gray wash overlays portions of the scene, creating atmospheric depth and softening transitions between light and dark. The blue paper functions as an integrated background tone, enhancing the contrast and reinforcing the sense of space within the sketch.

History & Provenance

The drawing was produced during Wagenbauer’s early career, a period when he frequently documented Bavarian landscapes. Although specific ownership records are limited, the work is catalogued among his 1820s drawings that illustrate his interest in topographical studies and his experimentation with mixed media on colored supports.