Peter Johann Nepomuk Geiger (1805-1880) - Nature study of forest plants

Nature study of forest plants Was executed by Austrian painter and illustrator , lithographer, etcher and draftsman Peter Johann Nepomuk Geiger (1805 Vienna - 1880 Vienna).

Geiger was the son of the Viennese sculptor Joseph Geiger (1781–1814) and his wife Antonia Geiger. He was probably initially a pupil or assistant of his father, whose early death forced him to earn his living by carving. He produced, in particular, figurative decorations for tobacco pipes made of meerschaum.

A very large example with more than 80 figures depicting the destruction of Troy passed into a private English collection. However, he soon turned to drawing and painting, which he had largely taught himself, and attended the Academy of Fine Arts.

The publisher Anton Ziegler commissioned him to produce lithographed pen drawings for his work *Vaterländische Immortellen aus dem Gebiete der österreichischen Geschichte* (Patriotic Immortals from the Realm of Austrian History), published in 96 plates between 1838 and 1840, and for Ziegler's *Memorabilien des In- und Auslandes* (Memoirs of Home and Abroad), published from 1840 onwards. Until 1848, a large number of other illustrations followed, for example, for Gusztáv Wenzel's *Geschichte Ungarns und Siebenbürgens* (History of Hungary and Transylvania) and literary works, such as Eduard von Bauernfeld's translation of the novels of Charles Dickens. He also created erotic watercolors and several oil paintings for members of the imperial family.[2]

In 1847, Archduke Franz Joseph commissioned Geiger to produce watercolors of the Battle of Lützen and the Battle of Iselberg. In 1850, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria accompanied him on his journey to the Orient, and upon his return, he incorporated many of his impressions into his own works (some paintings found their way to Miramare Castle).

He had been a member of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna since 1843, serving as a proofreader there from 1844 to 1850. In 1846, he became an adjunct professor at the elementary drawing school, and in 1849, he received the title of associate professor. From 1850 to 1852, he taught at the elementary drawing and modeling school. Geiger was appointed professor at the Academy in 1853, entrusted with directing the evening modeling classes, and retired in 1872.

Geiger created several works for the imperial court. He created a cycle of scenes from the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, a cycle of scenes from the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, and William Shakespeare for Ferdinand Maximilian, and several genre paintings of Oriental life for Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria. In 1859, he was chairman of the "Society of Practicing Visual Artists and Art Lovers," founded in 1846, and August Sicard von Sicardsburg was his deputy.

Literature: Ptof.H. Fuchs "Austrian Aritsts of 19 century", Vienna, 1975.

Inscription: signed lower left.

Technique: oil on cardboard. Original gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 15 3/8" x h 12 1/3" (39 x 31.5 cm); framed w 20 5/8" x h 18 1/4" (52,5 x 46,5 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.