Lot 54: Carl Joseph Geiger (Austrian, 1822-1905)

Mozart directing imaginary actors from the operas 'Don Giovanni' and 'The Magic Flute' inscribed 'Karl Geiger Nachlass' (on the stretcher) oil on canvas 19 5/8 x 28in. (50 x 71 cm.) PROVENANCE E.Frœohlich (the artist's grandson). Galerie Dr.Sternat, Vienna. and thence by descent. NOTES Carl Joseph Geiger entered the Vienna Akademie at the young age of thirteen and studied under Joseph von Fuhrich whose style he imitated at first. Initially he worked as a book illustrator, however later he showed a preference for larger allegorical works. He was commissioned by the Emperor and the Vienna aristocracy to produce watercolour illustrations for Schubert's Lieder, Mozart's Don Giovanni, Weber's Freischutz and Haydn's Seasons. It is probable that this lot was part of the oeuvre of commissioned operatic works.