Extremely rare and early view of the Vienna Synagogue in the Seitenstettengasse (today main synagogue) painted by the author , important Austrian watercolourist Eduard Gurk (1801 Vienna -1841 Jerusalem). ca. 1826-1830s.

This first known synagogue in Vienna was built by famous Viennese architect of the Biedermeier era Joseph Kornhäusel in 1826. in Addition to our watercolour, it is known only one image (color drawing ) of this interior of the same time, painted by an unknown artist Ehrenkrauss in 1830 (see our last additional photo). Due to our comparison of details in both paintings , the style of costumes of the orthodox prayers, as well as biographical information about the artist, we can conclude that our watercolor painted by Eduard Gurk shortly after its construction and earlier as the drawing by Ehrenkrauss, also between 1826 and 1830 and is the first image of the most famous synagogue in Vienna.

The author of this watercolour Eduard Gurk (1801 Vienna - 1841 Jerusalem) was important Austrian landscape painter of those time. He learned the painting at first from his father and later he studied at the Vienna Academy . He was supported by Prince Metternich and finally appointed court painter . As such, he accompanied the nobles of the Austrian hereditary monarchy , especially Archduke Ferdinand and Archduke Johann , and immortalized them in his works .Eduard Gurk gained celebrity as a landscape painter , lithographer , tempera painter (with works in the castle Schenna / South Tyrol ) and engraver. There are especially serials , characterize the Gurk´s oeuvre . From 1830 he was in the service of the Crown Prince Ferdinand ( later Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria ) , whom he accompanied on trips to Orient.He died at the age of 39 during a study trip in Jerusalem .

Exhibitions: "Picturesque pilgrimage to Mariazell in watercolors by Eduard Gurk". October 26, 2014 - MARCH 22, 2015. Landesmuseum Lower Austria ( 1833 Gurk created as a commission for Prince Ferdinand, a series of 40 watercolors with views of the scenic beauty along the pilgrimage route from Vienna to Mariazell).

His works:1823 Vienna most exquisite buildings and monuments, together with his father Ignaz Josef Gurk. Vienna, Tranquillo Mollo.1823-1825 Vienna environments - from nature drawn and engraved by Joseph and Eduard Gurk, 65 plates (published by Tranquillo Mollo; emphasis: Academy Pressure and publishing house, Graz 1988th.).1825-1830 , views from Carlsbad, Töplitz, Marienbad, Franzens Brunn and surroundings. After nature drawn and engraved by Eduard Gurk in Vienna. Vienna, Tranquillo Mollo.1829 2 illustrations (lithographs) to Joseph Kyselaks travelogue ´sketches a journey on foot through Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Berchtesgaden, Tyrol and Bavaria to Vienna´ - together with a romantic picturesque representation of several castles and their folk tales, mountainous regions and Eisglätscher on this walk, undertaken in 1825 by Joseph Kyselak. Vienna, Anton Pichler.1829 Figure of the latest Adjustirung the Turkish army in Constantin Opel. Vienna, Tranquillo Mollo.1830 memories of Vienna. Vienna, Tranquillo Mollo.1830 memory leaves to the coronation S.K.H. Archduke Crown Prince Ferdinand as King of Hungary in Pressburg d. 28 Sept. 1830 series of 36 sheets.1833 Mahlerian journey from Vienna to Mariazell in Steyermark represented in Drey days´ journey and taken from nature in 1833, accompanied by his majesty the younger King of Hungary, Ferdinand the fifth, by Eduard Gurk. 40 watercolors, Niederösterreichisches Landesmuseum. Facsimile, Graz 1996, ISBN 3-201-01660-8.1835 funeral of Francis I - drawings and unfinished watercolors, Bolzano.1836 The coronation of Ferdinand I in Prague - watercolors, drawings and unfinished watercolors, Bolzano.1838 The coronation of Ferdinand I travel to Italy - watercolors, drawings and unfinished watercolors, Bolzano.1838 Views of the city and province of Salzburg (pencil drawings)1840 costumes and portraits; Designs from Tyrol and other places of the Empire - watercolors, drawings and unfinished watercolors, Bolzano.1841 motifs from the Orient and Palestine - watercolors, drawings and unfinished watercolors, Bolzano.

Literature: Prof.H.Fuchs, Lexicon of Austrian artists, Vienna, 1975; Artist´s Lexicons by Thieme/Becker (Leipzig, 1999).

Inscription: signed in pencil on the edge under image lower right.

Technique: watercolour on paper. Original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: only image w 6" x h 4 1/3" (15 x 11 cm), framed w 13 " x h 11 1/3" (33 x 29 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.