(Graz 1778 - ca. 1839 Steyr) A panoramic view of Vienna seen from Leopoldsberg, c. 1830, hand coloured lithograph in four parts, 26,8 x 240 cm, trimmed to framing lines, fixed to cardboard supprt with framing lines, 40 x 249 cm, was originally rolled up, (cropped at the lines above and at the title below the panoramic view (Hu)

The extraordinary and rare panoramic depiction of Vienna is the fourth of three hitherto known states of the lithograph. It differs from the other variants in its size and in the position of the ships on the Danube.

Compare:
Wien von oben, Die Stadt auf einen Blick, Eds. Sandor Bekesi, Elke Doppler, Wien Museum, 23rd March to 17th Sept. 2017, Fig. pp 88/89. "In diesem aus vier Blättern zusammengesetzten Panorama wird Vienna mit seinen Umgebungen in einem beinahe 360 Grad umfassenden Rundumblick wiedergegeben. Blatt eins zeigt Klosterneuburg, Blatt zwei Bisamberg bis Jedlesee, Blatt drei Wien und die Donauauen, Blatt vier den Kahlenberg und weitere Wienerwald-Berge. ... (Vienna and its surroundings are composed on four sheets which provide a panoramic view of almost 360°. Sheet No 1 shows Klosterneuburg, sheet No 2 Bisamberg near Jedlesee, sheet No 3 Vienna and the watermeadows of the Danube, sheet No 4 Kahlenberg and other hills of the Vienna Woods) The Wiener Zeitung of November 16th, 1832 praised the careful preparation of the panoramic depiction and its high artistic significance: "Die genaueste Aufnahme und Bezeichnung auch der entferntesten Puncte ist das Resultat von nicht weniger als 40 Besteigungen des Berges, und keine ähnliche Aufnahme des Berges vermag, was künstlerische Auffassung sowohl als Genauigkeit betrifft, mit dieser Riesenarbeit in Schranken zu treten." (The most accurate recording and description even in the far distance are the results of climbing the mountain 40 times and no other similar recording from the mountain may compete with this major undertaking in regard of its artistic conception and precision). Johann Wachtl studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Vienna since 1793 and became an esteemed portait- and miniature painter in Graz from 1820 onwards. He also made paintings for churches and executed landscape lithographs.)

We are grateful to Mag. Elke Doppler and Mag. Dr. Sandor Békési, Wien Museum for the scientific consultation.