(Vienna 1833–1912)
A group of lime trees on the Mönchsberg in Salzburg, inscribed on an old label on the reverse, signed, dated and inscribed A. Schaeffer Salzburg 1869, oil on board, 56 x 41 cm, framed (W) 

Provenance:
A. E. Collection, Vienna, 1869;
Private Collection, Vienna.

Compare:
Susanna Haiden, Studie zum Werk des österreichischen Landschaftsmalers August Schaeffer von Wienwald (1833-1916), dissertation, University of Vienna, 2016, CR 172

We are grateful to Dr Susanna Haiden for the scientific assistance.

August Schaeffer von Wienwald studied landscape painting under Franz Steinfeld (1787-1868) at Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts from 1852 to 1856, and took numerous study trips to the surrounding region during his time there. These trips were followed by travels to Hungary, Germany, Belgium, France and Italy, as well as within Austria. Of these, Salzburg was one of his favourite destinations. In his youth, he practised by painting the landscape of Salzkammergut, and when he was older, he spent the summer and autumn with his family at his villa in St. Gilgen on Lake Wolfgangsee. 
He completed the villa in 1889, and its location offered him a view of his favourite subject: the mountains. Schaeffer travelled to Salzkammergut for the summer as early as 1853 (still accompanied by his teacher), where he was instructed to complete studies straight from nature. The periods he spent in the region are documented with numerous sketches, drawings and paintings. 
The present work depicts a group of lime trees on the Mönchsberg in Salzburg. The towering trees, overlapping with the sky, are represented in a colour palette of warm green, ochre, brown and a striking auburn shade. The foreground has been reproduced in detail, expressing the calming atmosphere of the surroundings. Schaeffer completed two further nature studies of this group of trees. The attractive atmosphere makes the work particularly enticing for modern-day viewers.