Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Flower Piece

Name Class Date

Marie Egner, Flower Piece (1890). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
Marie Egner artsdot.com/en/artists/marie-egner/
Artist’s dates
1850 – 1940
Painted
1890

In context

Flower Piece — Marie Egner

When was this painted?

  1. 1850
  2. 1860
  3. 1870
  4. 1880
  5. 1890
  6. 1900
  7. 1910
  8. 1920
  9. 1930
  10. 1940

Shaded: the lifetime of Marie Egner (1850–1940) ▲ this work, 1890

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/marie-egner-flower-piece-AS7CU9-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #523f29

    Catalogued palette

    • #523F29
    • #B5A283
    • #896F4E
    • #D8CBBA
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Marie Egner

    Born in Bad Radkersburg, Austria

    Marie Egner: A Life in Austrian Impressionism

    Early Life and Education

    Born on August 25, 1850, in Bad Radkersburg, Austria, Marie Egner demonstrated an early aptitude for art.

    She received her initial drawing lessons in Graz from Hermann von Königsbrunn.

    From 1872 to 1875, she pursued formal studies at the Düsseldorf Academy of Art under Carl Jungheim, a pivotal experience shaping her artistic foundation.

    Artistic Development and Influences

    In 1882, Egner relocated to Vienna, living with her mother while continuing her artistic pursuits.

    Her summers were spent at the art colony in Plankenberg Castle near Neulengbach, where she studied with Emil Jakob Schindler until 1887. This period significantly influenced her style.

    A study trip to England from 1887 to 1889 broadened her artistic horizons and exposed her to different landscapes and techniques.

    Artistic Style and Themes

    Egner is primarily known for her contributions to Impressionism and, more specifically, the Austrian variant known as Stimmungsimpressionismus.

    Her paintings often depict lyrical landscapes, delicate flower still lifes, and intimate scenes of domestic life.

    She masterfully captured atmospheric effects and subtle nuances of light and color, creating a sense of mood and emotion in her work.

    A key characteristic is the diffused lighting and realistic detail found within her floral compositions.

    Career and Exhibitions

    Egner held her first exhibition at the Vienna Künstlerhaus shortly after returning from England, marking a significant milestone in her career.

    She exhibited extensively in both Germany and England, gaining recognition for her unique artistic vision.

    In 1893, she participated in The Woman's Building at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, showcasing her work on an international stage.

    Egner established an art school for women but was forced to close it in 1910 due to health reasons.

    Later Life and Legacy

    After World War I, she became a member of the Austrian Association of Women Artists (VBKÖ), actively participating in the artistic community.

    The VBKÖ held a major retrospective exhibition of her work in 1926, celebrating her contributions to Austrian art.

    In the 1930s, declining eyesight led to her withdrawal from public life.

    She passed away on March 31, 1940, in Vienna.

    Her work was included in the 2019 exhibition City Of Women: Female artists in Vienna from 1900 to 1938 at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, reaffirming her historical significance.

    Historical Significance

    Marie Egner stands as a significant figure in Austrian art history, particularly for her role in developing and promoting Stimmungsimpressionismus.

    She was a pioneering woman artist who navigated the challenges of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to establish a successful career.

    Her paintings offer valuable insights into Austrian society and landscape during her time, capturing the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Flower Piece

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/marie-egner-flower-piece-AS7CU9-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Egner, Marie. Flower Piece. 1890, https://artsdot.com/en/art/marie-egner-flower-piece-AS7CU9-en/
    APA
    Egner, Marie (1890). Flower Piece [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/marie-egner-flower-piece-AS7CU9-en/
    Chicago
    Marie Egner. Flower Piece. 1890. https://artsdot.com/en/art/marie-egner-flower-piece-AS7CU9-en/
    Harvard
    Egner, Marie (1890) Flower Piece. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/marie-egner-flower-piece-AS7CU9-en/

    Look closely

    Flower Piece — Marie Egner

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at In The Blossoming Bower, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Marie Egner was about 40 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.