(Vienna 1841–1918)
“Heeres-Platz. Heeres-Säule. Heeres-Brücke” (in the background Brigittabrücke (now Friedensbrücke), Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg, on the lower sheet margin inscription: “Wien im November 1917 Heeres-Platz. Heeres-Säule. Heeres Brücke. Arch Hofrat Otto Wagner”, pen, ink, pencil heightened with white on paper, 41 x 69 cm, on canvas, over wooden frame (original mounting)

See:
Otto Antonia Graf, Otto Wagner, 2-Das Werk des Architekten 1903–1918, p. 769, illustrations of drawings of Heeressäule and the following description:

Brigitta Bridge Vienna,
Danube Canal Project

On 23 October 1916, Wagner noted in his diary, “Today Biró came and said to me that he believes that my bridge project for the Danube Canal will be carried out.” Whether this indication refers to the design for the Brigitta bridge is not known, but probable. At the end of July 1917, the two bridges greatly engaged Wagner’s attention; one of them must have been the Brigitta bridge. „26 Sept. Yesterday I had a nice success. The men from the municipal planning office were there, and the bridges pleased them very much indeed.” On 31 October 1917, the bridge was delivered; it was mentioned again on 20 December 1917. “B. came himself to pick it up.” A letter from Wagner (in private ownership) of 1 August 1917 indicates that a large forecourt was planned in front of the bridge, “upon which the visual axes of the Alserbachstrasse and the Wallensteinstrasse intersect”. For this plaza was initially planned the 20-metre-tall column (see Drawing I), on the summit of which a golden statue of a warrior (Achilles) should be placed. “At the base of the column sits History with tablet and stylus. 2 crowned eagles (Austrian double-headed eagle) regard this figure.”

Provenance:
Studio of Otto Wagner (according to the present owner)
Gift to an employee (according to the present owner)
Private Collection, Vienna