A Dear Visitor by Max Kurzweil

Title: Ein lieber Besuch (A Dear Visitor)
Artist: Max Kurzweil (1867-1916)
Made: 1894

Max Kurzweil's 'A Dear Visitor' was created in 1894 and the original painting is in Österreichische Galerie Belvedere. The original size of the work is 94 x 125 cm and is made of oil on canvas. The Artist, Max Kurzweil (1867 - 1916), was an Austrian painter and printmaker. He moved near Vienna in 1879. The canvas depicts a touching scene of farewell to a mortally wounded officer with his battle horse. The painting is called Ein Lieber Besuch. In different sources, such options are used for its designation: “Faithful Friend”, “Last Visitor” and “Goodbye”. The dying officer is no longer able to get out of bed on his own. A soldier lifts him up so that he can touch his loyal friend and comrade-in-arms one last time. The horse recognized the owner. Despite the unfamiliar and frightening situation came up to him. It seems that he is trying to understand what is happening, why the officer does not come to him anymore, why he is so helpless, and not full of strength and courage, as before? No one holds the horse, but the second soldier standing at the wall controls the situation.


Source :
https://www.canvastar.com/en/max-kurzweil-a-dear-visit
https://sammlung.belvedere.at/objects/1260/ein-lieber-besuch
https://vk.com/wall-2583731_12915?lang=en

Celebration on the Occasion of the Anniversary of the Military Order of Maria Theresa

Title: Celebration on the occasion of the anniversary of the Military Order of Maria Theresa
Artist: Siegmund L'Allemand
Date: 1861

Glittering chandeliers, elaborately decorated table centres and heavily gold-braided military uniforms all contribute to the splendour of this sumptuous State occasion. The Military Order of Maria Theresa became Austria's senior award for war services when it was founded by the Empress Maria Theresa in 1757. The Order is in the shape of a symmetrical jewelled cross with the simple inscription, "Fortitudini" (for bravery) on the reverse. Worn with the Order is a scarlet edged white sash, which in this 1861 Anniversary painting can be seen worn by the Archduke raising his glass in a final toast.

This impressive canvas was painted by Siegmund L'Allemand, a notable Austrian artist. Born in Vienna in 1840, L'Allemand had his first painting lessons from his uncle Fritz L'Allemand. He later studied under Ruben and Karl Blaas and eventually in 1883 he succeeded them as professor of the Viennese Academy. L'Allemand has successfully humanised his portrayal of this very formal banquet. Chairs have been pushed back from the table, upon which many already empty decanters can be seen. In the foreground the waiters anxiously scan the room, ready with more full wine bottles. Plumed military helmets are piled on side tables; the faces of the military officers around the huge table are clearly recognisable. In this very masculine scene the only feminine touch is the sculpture of the Empress herself, presiding majestically over the proceedings. The original painting, which is quite massive, can be found in the Billiard Room of the Schloss Schönbrunn museum in Vienna.

From 1883 Siegmund L'Allemand served as a professor, and later the head of the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. An interesting footnote is that he chaired the admissions committee that in 1907 rejected admission to a young aspiring art student named Adolf Hitler. 

Source :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/27203838@N02/11015684984

https://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/museum/5282

The storming of Königsberg by Austrian Army

Title: Die Erstürmung des Königsberges bei Oberselk durch das k.u.k. 18. Jägerbataillon am 3. Februar 1864 (The storming of Königsberg in Oberselk by Austrian 18th Infantry Battalion on 3 February 1864)
Artist: Siegmund L'Allemand
Date: 1864

This impressive canvas was painted by Siegmund L'Allemand (8 March 1840 - 24 December 1910), a notable Austrian artist. Born in Vienna in 1840, L'Allemand had his first painting lessons from his uncle Fritz L'Allemand. He later studied under Ruben and Karl Blaas and eventually in 1883 he succeeded them as professor of the Viennese Academy.From 1883 Siegmund L'Allemand served as a professor, and later the head of the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. An interesting footnote is that he chaired the admissions committee that in 1907 rejected admission to a young aspiring art student named Adolf Hitler!

Source :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Siegmund_L'Allemand_Die_Erst%C3%BCrmung_des_K%C3%B6nigsberges_bei_Oberselk_1864.jpg

Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria (1830-1916)

Title: Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria (1830-1916)
Artist: Franz Xaver Winterhalter
Date: 1865

Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria wearing the dress uniform of an Austrian Field Marshal (scarlet trousers and white summer undress tunic) with the Great Star of the Military Order of Maria Theresa. The Golden Fleece suspended from the base of his collar. His hairline was already in full retreat, but his most remarkable features were a wide 'tash and a set of cavalry whiskers that reached down to his sloping shoulders.

Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1803-73) was the outstanding court portraitist of mid-19th century Europe. For Queen Victoria alone he painted over 120 works, and he was also portrait painter to the French court, first to Louis-Philippe, and later to Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie. Over his long career Winterhalter painted an array of the crowned heads of Europe, and the most beautiful women of the day, many of them dressed in the spectacular silk and tulle confections of the Parisian couturier, Worth.

Source :
http://www.amazon.com/Franz-Winterhalter-Courts-Europe-1830-70/dp/0904017842
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Franz_joseph1.jpg

Maximilian van Oostenrijk (Maximilian I of Mexico)

Title: Maximilian van Oostenrijk
Artist: Franz Xaver Winterhalter
Date: Unknown

Maximilian (Spanish: Maximiliano; born Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph; 6 July 1832 – 19 June 1867) was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire. He was a younger brother of the Austrian emperor Francis Joseph I. After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he entered into a scheme with Napoleon III of France to invade, conquer, and rule Mexico. France (along with the United Kingdom and Spain, who both withdrew the following year after negotiating agreements with Mexico's democratic government) had invaded Mexico in the winter of 1861, as part of the War of the French Intervention. Seeking to legitimize French rule in the Americas, Napoleon III invited Maximilian to establish a new Mexican monarchy for him. With the support of the French army, and a group of conservative Mexican monarchists hostile to the liberal administration of new Mexican President Benito Juárez, Maximilian traveled to Mexico. Once there, he declared himself Emperor of Mexico on 10 April 1864. Many foreign governments (including the United States) refused to recognize Maximilian's claim or regime. Maximilian's Second Mexican Empire was widely considered a 'puppet' regime of France. Additionally, Maximilian never completely defeated the Mexican Republic; Republican forces led by President Benito Juárez continued to be active during Maximilian's rule. With the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the United States (which had been too distracted by its own civil war to confront the European's 1861 invasion of what it considered to be its sphere-of-influence) began more explicit aid of President Juárez's forces. Matters worsened for Maximilian's 'empire' after the French withdrew its armies from Mexico in 1866. Maximilian's Mexican Empire collapsed; the Mexican government captured and executed Maximilian in 1867. His wife, Charlotte of Belgium (Carlota), had left for Europe earlier to try to build support for her husband's regime; after his execution, however, she suffered an emotional collapse and was declared insane.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico