Joseph von Führich

Joseph Ritter von Führich (*February 9, 1800, in Kratzau, Bohemia; † March 13, 1876, in Vienna) was a prominent Austrian painter of religious and historical themes, notably associated with the Nazarene movement. Führich’s artistic talent was nurtured early by his father, Wenzel Führich, himself a painter. This initial instruction, combined with Führich’s autodidactic dedication, led him to create independent works at a young age, including the altar piece “Maria im Grünen.”

After drawing significant attention at a Prague art exhibition in 1819, Führich received a scholarship from Count Clam-Gallas, allowing him to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. There, he studied under Joseph Bergler and began contributing to various church decorations in towns like Chanowitz and Liebenau. Führich also produced illustrations for literary works by authors such as Goethe and Schiller.

While in Vienna for further studies, his work inspired influential patrons, including Prince Metternich, who arranged a study trip to Rome for him in 1829. There, Führich became deeply influenced by the Nazarene artists and devoted himself to religious themes exclusively. This focus earned him the affectionate nickname “Theologian with the Pen.”

Upon returning to Prague, he married Franziska Gassner in 1832 and was soon invited back to Vienna by Metternich to oversee the Lambergsche Painting Gallery. In addition to his curatorial work, Führich created monumental religious paintings in collaboration with artists like Dobiaschofsky and Kupelwieser, which contributed to his growing reputation across Europe.

Führich’s career faced interruptions due to the 1848 Revolution, during which he briefly fled to his homeland. Upon returning to Vienna, he resumed teaching and later received a noble title from Emperor Franz Joseph I. His influence extended across generations of students and artists, even as his views on non-religious art generated controversy among his contemporaries.

Führich’s lasting legacy includes his Stations of the Cross series, which gained international acclaim and became widely reproduced through engravings. In 1872, he retired and was celebrated as an honorary citizen of Vienna on his 75th birthday. After his death in 1876, he was buried in Vienna’s Grinzing Cemetery, and a street in Vienna’s first district was named Führichgasse in his honor. To commemorate the 125th anniversary of his death, the Austrian Post issued a special stamp in 2001.