Der Burgschauspieler Bernhard Baumeister

About this artwork

Das Gemälde entstand im Auftrag der Gesellschaft für vervielfältigende Kunst als Illustrationsvorlage für das Prachtwerk "Die Theater Wien's" (Band 2, Teil 3).

Art Historical Context

Painted around 1895, Julius Schmid’s oil-on-canvas portrait captures Bernhard Baumeister, a actor at Vienna’s renowned Burgtheater. Measuring just 60 × 40 cm, the intimate scale suggests a personal study rather than a formal stage likeness, inviting viewers to appreciate the sitter’s expressive features and dignified presence. The work belongs to the Belvedere Collection in Vienna, where it continues to document the city’s rich theatrical heritage. The painting was commissioned by the Society for Reproductive Arts specifically as a model for illustrations in the lavish publication “Die Theater Wien’s” (Volume 2, Part 3). This practical purpose highlights the close relationship between fine art and print reproduction in late-nineteenth-century Vienna, when societies sought to preserve and disseminate images of cultural figures through high-quality engravings and photomechanical processes. Beyond its documentary role, the portrait reflects the era’s deep respect for theater as a cornerstone of Austrian identity. By focusing on Baumeister, Schmid contributes to a visual record of the performers who shaped Vienna’s golden age of drama, offering today’s visitors a quiet glimpse into the human face behind the city’s storied stage tradition.