Over three thousand lithographs define the career of Josef Kriehuber, a Viennese artist who became the most sought-after portraitist of the Biedermeier era. By mastering a precise, near-photographic technique, he documented the likenesses of numerous nobility, government officials, and cultural figures of mid-19th century Central Europe during a period of significant social and political transition.
Early Development and Education
Born in Vienna on 14 December 1800, Kriehuber began his formal artistic training at age thirteen at the Imperial Academy in Vienna under Hubert Maurer. His education was interrupted by a period in Poland, where he served as a drawing-master for Prince Sanguszko in 1818. Upon returning to Vienna in 1821, he sought to support his living costs and academy studies by securing employment with the publishing firm of Matthias Trentsensky.
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The adoption of lithography in 1826 marked the turning point in his professional life. He became an exceptionally industrious employee, eventually earning a reputation as the primary portrait lithographer of his time. His success was attributed to his technical ability to depict male subjects with added distinction and female subjects with enhanced aesthetic appeal. This stylistic signature made him the preferred choice for the social and political elite of the epoch.
The Portrait Archive
Kriehuber’s vast portfolio serves as a visual record of 19th-century Viennese society. His output included several hundred watercolours and nearly 3,000 portrait-lithographs. His sitters included Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt, Niccolò Paganini, and Giacomo Meyerbeer, as well as political figures like Prince Metternich and Josef Radetzky. Beyond portraits, he also produced studies of the Prater park.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1860, he became the first artist to receive the Order of Franz Joseph. However, the subsequent rise of photography caused a significant decline in demand for his commissioned portraiture. His final years were marked by financial hardship. Kriehuber died in Vienna on 30 May 1876 and was interred at the Vienna Central Cemetery. His work remains preserved in major institutions, including the Albertina and the Austrian National Library.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 December 1800, Vienna
- Died: 30 May 1876, Vienna
- Primary medium: Lithography and painting
- Notable award: Order of Franz Joseph (1860)
- Training: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- Citizenship: Austrian; Cisleithanian
- Total portrait-lithographs: Nearly 3,000
- Burial site: Vienna Central Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Kriehuber's primary professional focus?
He was a painter and lithographer best known for his extensive series of portrait-lithographs capturing the leading figures of mid-19th century Central Europe.
Why did his career decline in his final years?
The emergence of photography as a new medium led to a reduction in commissions for his traditional portrait work, resulting in financial difficulties toward the end of his life.
Achievements
- Order of Franz Joseph — 1860
