Rudolf von Alt (1812–1905) is one of the most well-known Austrian artists of the 19th century. The inventory of his work at the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung in Munich, the most important outside Austria, has not been extensively presented until now. In addition to extremely detailed watercolors painted throughout all of his creative periods, von Alt made numerous sketches, which allow for immediate insights into the working methods of the artist. A large number of these works originated from the artist’s daughter’s estate. Further important watercolors were found in Viennese private collections, including Jewish collections that were later confiscated.
A project supported by the Arbeitsstelle for Provenienzforschung in Berlin examined the origins of the 617 drawings and watercolor paintings that had been transferred to the Graphische Sammlung in 1959 “from a former National Socialist collection.” The catalogue documents the inventory and the findings of provenance research.