As the sons of the Austrian artist Carl von Blaas became famous portrait painters of their time
Contrary to the well-known concept that “nature is resting on children of geniuses”, the world history of art still knows many artists’ dynasties, which transferred a divine gift from father to children and grandchildren. This fully affected the descendants of the famous Austrian painter Carl von Blaas, who gave the world two sons – talented portrait painters.
Karl von Blaas – (1815-1894)
Karl von Blaas (Karl von Blaas) was born in Austria in a family of impoverished nobles. Very early showed his talent for drawing, which was welcomed by his uncle through the mother. He helped with the training of the young talent and for many years became his patron. Karl mastered painting, first in Innsbruck, and later in Italy, at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts.
Most of all, the young artist was attracted by religious, mythological and historical themes. Many paintings by novice masters brought him awards fame and recognition, and soon the position of professor of historical painting at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. Karl von Blaas introduced innovative ideas into the training, took the side of the students in the struggle for the freedom of their creativity. With his submission, reforms were carried out in the educational program of the Academy.
In addition, he became a fashionable artist in Austria, and his painting was in great demand among the Austro-Hungarian aristocrats, the royal imperial family, as well as Italian noble houses, as he was known as an excellent portraitist.
The main work of the artistic activity of Karl von Blaas was historical frescoes in the Hall of Fame of the Vienna Military History Museum.
In 1856, the painter with his wife and grown-up sons moved to Venice, from which time the life of his heirs and followers, Eugene and Julius, will be closely connected with Italy.
It is worth noting that Karl was an excellent mentor and teacher not only for his own sons, but also for his talented students in both Vienna and Venice. Their names became known to the whole world – Eugenio Prati, Giuseppe Barisone, Giulio del Torre, Leopold Karl Muller.
Eugene and Julius von Blaas
The name of the outstanding von Blaas was worthily carried on by his not less famous sons. Senior – Eugene (1843-1931) – the most talented and famous representative of the family von Blaasov, who became a genre artist and a great portrait painter. And the smaller – Julius (1845-1922) – court painter of the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I, professor of the Vienna Academy of Arts. He wrote in the genre of portrait, landscape, animalism. Critics say that the technique of painting Julius was a little lower than that of his father and older brother.
Eugene von Blaas is considered to be an Italian painter who wrote in the style of academicism and classicism. Since he was born in Italy and lived there almost all his life. At one time he graduated from the art academies of Rome and Venice and became a professor, like his father. To a greater extent, his work devoted to genre scenes from the life of ordinary Italians. And in particular, he wrote a great many portraits of charming Italians, thanks to whom he became famous throughout the world.
Light genre canvases and simple scenes were combined in the work of Eugène de Blaas with the highest artistic skill and excellent knowledge of human nature. While not only anatomical, but also psychological. He carefully prescribed facial expressions, mood, state of mind of his heroes, as well as the smallest details of interiors and landscapes, with the historical authenticity inherent in classicism.
