Quarry near Gießhübl, 1929

Situated south of Vienna is the Quarry near Gießhübl that Gerhart Frankl (1901–1965) depicts in this landscape. The open terrain of grassland, paths, and fields is framed by some smaller houses and the overgrown sandstone rock of the quarry. Above it, a serene light-blue sky takes up about one third of the painting. Organically arranged color blocks and segments result in a fascinating harmonious composition. Like in the landscapes of his fellow artist Anton Faistauer (1887–1930), e.g. Wachau Landscsape. Frankl’s fascination with the coloration and composition of Paul Cézanne’s (1839–1906) works is unmistakable here. The all share a certain lightness of touch. Earthy light color tones remain largely rooted in nature and, with their gestural painting style and form vocabulary, break out into sheer expressiveness.

RR, 2021