839 - O. WAGNER (1803–1861), Altzella Monastery Funeral Chapel, Lithograph

O. WAGNER (1803–1861), Altzella Monastery Funeral Chapel, Lithograph Otto Wagner (1803, Torgau – 1861, Dresden): View of the funeral chapel at Altzella Monastery, 19th century, Lithograph Technique: Lithography on paper Stamp: – Collector’s stamp, Lugt no.: 1612. Kupferstichkabinett of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Berlin. 20th century, 19th century – Relocation stamp, Lugt no.: 2482. Kupferstichkabinett, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Berlin. 20th century, 19th century – Collector’s stamp, Unknown. Inscription: Signed and inscribed in the stone below the depiction with “gez. v. O. W.”, "Lith. v. A. L." and "Begraebniss-Capelle". Date: 19th century Description: Amid trees in a beautiful landscape park, the classicist mausoleum of the Cistercian Abbey of Altzella in Saxony stands with a bright façade. The clean lines of the building, which draws its form from the model of an ancient temple, create a sharp yet harmonious contrast with the surrounding natural landscape. The sharp edges of the pediment, supported by pilasters and a metope frieze featuring a Christian memorial scene, contrast with the soft, delicate foliage. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1787 under the direction of Oberland surveyor Christian Adolf Franck after the earlier funeral chapel had been damaged by Prussian soldiers during the Seven Years’ War. As the son of a hydraulic engineer and himself a teacher of technical drawing in architecture at the Dresden Academy, Otto Wagner succeeded very well in reproducing the architectural forms in this early lithograph and placing them in a harmonious dialogue with their surroundings. Keywords: Cistercians, Abbey, Monastery, Pitzschebach, Freiberger Mulde, 19th century, Romanticism, Landscape, Germany, Size: Paper: 17.9 cm x 19.3 cm (7 x 7.6 in), Image: 13.3 cm x 16.6 cm (5.2 x 6.5 in) Condition: Good condition. Small foxing spots are visible across the entire sheet. There are minor creases and soiling along the edges.