Die ereilten Flüchtlinge

About this artwork

Skizze zu Inv.-Nr. 3559

Art Historical Context

Eduard Kurzbauer's *Die ereilten Flchtlinge* (1870) is a dynamic oil sketch on paper laid on canvas, 51 x 74 cm, housed in Vienna's Belvedere Collection. a preparatory study (Skizze) for the larger painting Inv.-Nr. 3559, it captures the artist's process in the tradition of 19th-century Austrian genre painting. Kurzb (1840–1912), a prominent Realist known for vivid depictions of everyday life, military scenes, and dramatic narratives, likely drew from contemporary turmoil—such as the Franco-Prussian War—to evoke urgency and emotion in this work. The medium itself is noteworthy: oil on paper, mounted on canvas, allowed for quick, expressive brushwork typical of sketches, blending the fluidity of drawing with painting's depth. This technique enabled artists like Kurzbauer to refine compositions rapidly, testing light, movement, and figures in flight before committing to a full canvas. The hurried fugitives suggest themes of displacement and human struggle, resonating with the era's social upheavals. Visitors to the Belvedere will appreciate this piece as a window into Kurzbauer's meticulous studio practice, highlighting how sketches bridge raw idea to finished masterpiece in Vienna's rich artistic heritage.