(Vienna 1826–1897 Krumpendorf)
Vienna, a view of the market on Freyung, old title on the reverse “original Skizze des Gemäldes Markt auf der Freyung von A. Schönn im Besitz der Commune Wien”, signed A. Schönn, oil on canvas, 64.5 x 102 cm, framed (frame damaged), (Rei)

Provenance:
Private Collection Vienna

Compare:
Friedrich Boetticher, Malerwerke des 19. Jahrhunderts, Hofheim am Taunus, 1979, vol. II, 2, p. 638, no. 63;
Wien Museum, Alois Schönn, Markt auf der Freyung [market on Freyung], 1889, oil on canvas, 171 x 263 cm, Inv. no. 18924.

Alois Schönn, born in Vienna in 1826, studied engraving and history painting under Joseph von Führich and Eduard van der Nüll at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Over the course of his life, Schönn undertook extensive study trips throughout Europe, North Africa and the Orient. However, his artistic career almost came to an early end. In 1848, Schönn joined the group of volunteer Tyrolean marksmen and took part in battles in Italy and Hungary, where he was captured in Komorn and sentenced to death, but before the sentence was carried out, he was freed by imperial troops. The experiences he gained in the process also gave rise to his first battle pictures. However, he primarily devoted himself to genre paintings, landscapes and oriental motifs. His extraordinary achievements led to numerous awards, including the Order of Emperor Francis Joseph and the Knight’s Cross of the Legion of Honour. In 1861, he finally became a founding member of the Vienna Fine Art Society, later known as the Künstlerhaus, and a few years later, an associate professor at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. His works can be admired in numerous museums. Among others, he created six wall paintings for the Natural History Museum, several works for the Army History Museum and finally, the “Obstmarkt am Schanzel” and the view of the market on the Freyung for the Historical Museum of the City of Vienna. Also the painting „Markt auf der Freyung“ (Wien Museum, Inv.Nr. 18294), for which the present lot is the study, was painted for the City of Vienna by Alois Schönn.