Alois Heinrich Priechenfried (1867-1953), An Old Man Examines an Engraving, Alois Heinrich Priechenfried (1867-1953), An Old Man Examines an Engraving

12 × 9 cm

Between 1884 and 1885, Alois Heinrich Priechenfried was a visiting student at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts under Professor Christian Griepenkerl. He became famous for his paintings of rabbis. His style shows a strong influence of Rembrandt and the painters of Rembrandt's circle. Priechenfried also worked as a gilder.

An old man with a long beard examines the engraving in his hand with a magnifying glass. He wears a fur-trimmed coat and a velvet beret on his head. With virtuoso finesse, the artist has processed the features of the face and the beard on a small format, creating an image of an impressive personality.
Priechenfried thus belongs to the tradition of Rembrandt and his circle, who created characteristic heads of old men in various roles (philosophers, biblical figures, oriental monarchs, etc.). However, the miniature format for such images did not come into vogue until the 18th century. Painting after Rembrandt was still widespread in the 19th century, although little is known about this trend today.
Signed at the top: Priechenfried
Oil on wood
Size 12 × 9 cm