Waldmuller: Landscapes - Sarah Herring

One of the most important figures in Austrian nineteenth-century art, Waldmüller aspired to capture the truth of nature in his landscape paintings. Significant for his work both as an artist and influential teacher, Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller (1793–1865) was one of the most important figures in Austrian nineteenth-century art. He was dedicated to capturing a true and unidealised impression of nature through his landscapes. From the great trees in Vienna’s Prater Park to the forests and peaks of the Salzkammergut region, and the hills and ruins of Sicily, Waldmüller’s breathtaking paintings are rendered with a photographic clarity, limpid light and intense colour. An introductory essay considers the artist’s work and career as an influential teacher, during which he championed study from nature. A second text focuses on the painter’s landscapes, exploring how Waldmüller’s engagement with nature forged his signature approach to art. Exhibition Schedule:The National Gallery, London: 2 July–20 September 2026Published by National Gallery Global Ltd/Distributed by Yale University Press