Peter Krafft (1780–1856) Memorial Exhibition: Exploring the Art of a Celebrated History Painter

This exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of the history painter Peter Krafft, who also served as Director of the Imperial Picture Gallery at Belvedere. The show highlights his meticulous preparatory drawings for large-scale history paintings and his attempts to capture emotions vividly in portrait studies.

Commemorating the centenary of the death of historian painter Peter Krafft (1780–1856), this exhibition was the first dedicated to his work. Krafft held significant positions, including Director of the Imperial Picture Gallery and Castle Captain at Belvedere from 1829 onwards. The exhibition, developed with the assistance of a descendant, former curator Siegfried Troll, primarily showcased Krafft's drawings. These were crucial for his major history paintings, such as the three large-scale murals depicting scenes from the life of Emperor Franz I in the Hofburg. The displayed portrait studies underscore Krafft's dedication to achieving highly realistic depictions and conveying vivid emotions. A significant portion of the works exhibited, originating from the artist's descendants, were acquired by the Belvedere between 1973 and 1998.