Josef Nikolaus Kriehuber Paintings

Josef Nikolaus Kriehuber was an Austrian lithographer and painter, born on July 14, 1800, in Vienna. Recognized primarily for his portraits, Kriehuber developed a distinctive style that made him one of the most sought-after portrait artists of his time in Vienna. His ability to capture both the likeness and the personality of his subjects earned him a lasting place in the art history of Austria.

Kriehuber received his initial artistic training at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, where he honed his skills and developed a keen eye for detail. Early in his career, he began working with lithography, a relatively new printmaking technique at the time, which allowed for the mass production of images. This medium proved to be perfectly suited to Kriehuber's talents and interests, enabling him to produce portraits that were not only artistically valuable but also widely accessible to the public.

Throughout his career, Kriehuber produced over 3000 lithographs, featuring a wide array of subjects including Austrian and European aristocrats, artists, and intellectuals of the day. His work provides a fascinating window into the society of 19th-century Vienna, capturing the likenesses of such notable figures as Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss I, and Franz Liszt. Kriehuber's portraits were highly praised for their realism and depth, qualities that made his works immensely popular during his lifetime.

Beyond his contributions to lithography, Kriehuber also engaged in watercolor painting, through which he explored various subjects with a lighter, more spontaneous technique. However, it is his lithographic portraits that have left a lasting mark on the art world, cementing his reputation as a master of the medium.

Josef Nikolaus Kriehuber passed away on May 30, 1876, in Vienna. Today, his works are preserved in numerous collections and museums, serving as a testament to his skill and dedication to his art. Kriehuber's legacy lives on as a pivotal figure in the development of lithography in the 19th century, and his portraits continue to be celebrated for their historical significance and artistic merit.