This collection, titled 'Otto Schmidts „Wiener Typen“ (1873)', showcases the first photographic series to translate the traditional Viennese 'folk types' into photography. Published in the 1870s, these images aimed for vivid accuracy, though some subjects were staged with actors and costumes.
Otto Schmidts „Wiener Typen“, published in the 1870s by A. F. Czihak, represents a significant early attempt to transfer the long-standing tradition of depicting Viennese 'folk types' from graphic prints to photography. This series builds upon a repertoire of figures extending back to the 18th century and continuously expanded. Contemporary writers like Friedrich Schlögl praised the 'lively fidelity' of these photographs. However, closer examination reveals that some of the purported 'Viennese originals' were portrayed by actors, dressed in costumes from the archives, and photographed against varied studio backdrops, offering a nuanced perspective on authenticity in early photographic portraiture.
The collection features numerous individual works, each presenting a distinct Viennese character. These include figures such as 'Unser Hausmeister' (Our Caretaker), 'Fiaker, fahr' mer Euer Gnad'n' (Cabman, drive Your Grace), 'Sicherheitswache' (Security Guard), 'Hundeverkäufer am Graben' (Dog Seller on the Graben), 'Orangenverkäufer' (Orange Seller), 'Schusterbub' (Shoemaker's Boy), 'Lumpensammlerin' (Ragpicker), 'Pfannenflicker' (Pan Mender), 'Werkelmann' (Street Organ Grinder), 'Stubenmäd'l' (Maid), and 'Dienstmänner' (Service Men). Each photograph, dated to 1873, offers a glimpse into the social fabric and archetypes of Vienna during that period, mediated through the lens of early photographic practices and theatrical staging.