(Vienna 1812-1905) The iron foundry Kitschelt in Skodagasse, signed and dated Rudolf Alt 1898, watercolor on paper on cardboard, 26 x 42,5 cm, framed, (Hu)

„…during the last years of his life Alt hardly left his appartment in Skodagasse … he repeatedly painted the view of the fascinating scene of the iron foundry Kitschelt whose steam and livelyness followed the rhythm of work. The foundry which he had before his eyes was located in the courtyard opposite of his window. ..”(Walter Koschatzky, Rudolf von Alt, Residenz Verlag, Salzburg 1975, S 227 f.)

A detailed observation of the various versions of the subject can be found in: Maria Luise Sternath, Rudolf von Alt, Exhibition catalogue Albertina 2005, pp. 322-325: “On the opposite side of his appartment in Skodagasse the iron foundry Kitschelt was located; it was the most important deliverer of different kinds of iron furniture. Alt depicted the the manufacturer’s courtyard in different versions. It was not long ago that the earliest version which dates back to 1894 could be found. Almost 10 years later Alt executed a larger version of the iron foundry Kitschelt which is preserved in the Albertina today.

Compare: Walter Koschatzky, Rudolf von Alt, 1812-1905, Salzburg 1976, 2nd edition, WVZ, AV 94/08 and 09, AV 03/ 01 and 02.

According to Dr. Sternath the present drawing is a further and hitherto unknown version. It derives from a private collection in Vienna.