Paul Troger (1698-1762)

Research project P 13774 Paul Troger (1698-1762) Johann KRONBICHLER 28.06.1999 On Paul Troger, one of Austria`s most important Baroque painters, there has been published only one thorough monograph till now, in 1965. This study has been out of print since 30 years and thus does not represent the present state of research. Several studies on single subjects of Troger`s art have been published since, also many frescoes and oil paintings were restored in the past decades, but the scientific findings were only partly published. On the occasion of Paul Troger`s 300th birth anniversary several smal-scale exhibitions took place but not the desired great Troger-exhibition with an adequate monographic study. The proposer has published a number of studies concerning Austrian Baroque painting and has been continuously occupied with further research. Thus he is fully acquainted with the subject and, when granted the necessary funds, best equipped to elaborate this monograph on Paul Troger which is so important for the knowledge and further research of Austrian Baroque painting. The project is estimated to take 3 years: the first and the second year for collecting material (works of art, sources research and secondary literature on Paul Troger). The third year is set for the actual scientific work.

The last extensive work on Paul Troger was published 40 years ago and is out of print long since. Therefore, a new and solid monograph on this important master of Austrian baroque painting is most desirable for art history research as well as for art trade and the interested public. Review and update of past research: Research work on Paul Troger was begun in late 19th century, when several articles for the artist`s monograph were published. Romanus Jacobs wrote the first thorough work on Paul Troger in 1930. 1962, on occasion of the 200th anniversary of the painter`s death, two exhibitions took place, one in Innsbruck, the other in Altenburg Monastery. In 1965, the monograph of W. Aschenbrenner and G. Schweighofer presented for the last time a whole scaled survey of the artist`s life and work. Much research has been done since: Several theses deal both with Troger`s oeuvre in general and with special subjects. In the last 20 years quite a number of articles on Troger and his direct artistic environment were published: They present recently discovered works as well as iconographical and other subjects and reports of restorations. Another important contribution was the exhibition organized in 1998 at the 300th anniversary of the artist`s birth in Diözesanmuseum in Brixen and Altenburg Monastery. With regard to the intended new monograph of Paul Troger, an international symposium was organized in Altenburg Monastery in autumn 2003 ("Paul Troger, 1698-1762, and his oeuvre in the context of the European Baroque"). The lectures held at the symposium will be published in a separate volume and will also be considered in the new monograph. The preliminary studies for this monograph concerning the oeuvre catalogue (frescoes, oil paintings, drawings and prints) and sources research are finished. All works and sources have been checked in situ and updated. Of most works, photographs apt for the new publication have already been taken. At present, working on the artist`s biography and the general art-historical valuation is still in progress. Publishing is proposed for autumn 2005.