Ludwig Hans Fischer

This watercolour is titled Street in Colombo. On this occasion the back of a painting is as interesting as the front, and the various stamps and markings places it amongst the cream of Austrian 19th century society…

Born in 1848, Fischer studied at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts in the 1870s and then travelled extensively, throughout the Middle East, North Africa and India. As well as paintings, he wrote and illustrated many books, including manuals and guides. His 1890 volume ‘Indian Folk Jewellery and How to Wear it’, does rather sound like an article from a Sunday supplement

This painting comes most recently from a private European collection, but the back of the frame helps tell the full story.

At the bottom of the frame there is a tantalising label which reads ‘Property of his Excellency Herr…’. Although the section bearing the name is missing, the inscription on the back ready - From the Collection of His Excellency Count Lanckoroński, Vienna. This is some name. Count Karol Lanckoroński (1948-1933) was one of the most prominent art collectors, patrons, and cultural figures in late 19th-century Vienna. He was incredibly wealthy, a close friend to many contemporary artists, and built a vast private collection housed in his famous neo-baroque palace (Palais Lanckoroński) in Vienna.

In 1888-89, Fischer accompanied Lanckoroński on a grand tour of Asia. They set sail from Marseilles in December 1888 through the Suez Canal and landing in Sri Lanka, before journeying extensively throughout India, including Mumbai, Agra and Lahore. Fischer painted a great deal on the trip, much of his work painted in situ, en plein air.

Twenty-six of his Indian paintings were exhibited at the 1895 Empire of India Exhibition in London, one of which was titled ‘Street in Colombo’. The Empire label is not present on the back of the work, so we can only speculate as to whether this is the same painting.

The painting left Austria at some point in the mid-20th century, and was owned by the Swiss industrialist Paul Vogel. It was unsuccessfully offered for sale at Christie’s in London in November 1988 as part of Vogel’s sale, and again in Zurich in June 1992 where it entered a private European Collection.

The blue label is for the Vienna framer Johann Welz. In 1890, they moved to 5 Neudeggergasse, which dates the framing of this work to after that period.

Putting all this to one side, the painting is a very charming view of late-19th century Sri Lanka. Painted from life, it is in fabulous condition and has its original Viennese frame.