Dorotheum

It would be Anton Kolig‘s 140th birthday today – and we celebrate him with his beautiful painting “Siblings” from 1936. It depicts Eberhard and Irmgard Brüning, aged 12 and 14 at the time.

Kolig, one of the most prominent figures of Austrian Color Expressionism, was quite prolific during his lifetime. However, not many works survive, as a large part was destroyed during World War II: Ssome by the N***s, who branded him as a “degenerate artist”, and many through a bombardment in 1944.

The painted “Siblings” prevailed though and was auctioned at Dorotheum in 2008 for € 49.100.

Okay, so with this post we want to show some love to - especially for curating such an immersive ‘VIENNA 1900—Everyday. A Total Work of Art’ exhibition.

Seriously, go see it. It's well worth a visit. Plus, it's the perfect place to escape the heat for a while.

The world in 1493 – and how Hartmann Schedel saw it. This first edition, one of the most richly illustrated works from the early days of printing, boasts around 1800 woodcuts. They give us an insight into a Christian-humanist worldview at the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
The prints originate from the workshop of Michael Wolgemut, where Albrecht Dürer was an apprentice.

The “Liber Chronicarum” depicts city views (Augsburg, Basel, Florence, Nuremberg, Rome, Venice, Vienna...), which often were the first printed glimpses of those cities for many viewers. Other woodcuts present scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Schedel also addresses issues of the time like papal elections or peasant uprisings, and documents folk customs and rituals.

Books and decorative graphics | 24 June 2026: https://www.dorotheum.com/en/a/123047/

Want to escape the heat and explore our exhibitions? What? Of course we're trying every trick to lure you into Palais Dorotheum.

But in all seriousness: our 19th Century Art auction takes place tomorrow, followed by our Old Masters auction on Thursday. There's still time to place your bids and secure a special piece for your collection.

19th Century Paintings and Watercolours: https://www.dorotheum.com/en/a/122471/
Old Master Paintings: https://www.dorotheum.com/en/a/122531/

Think this heat is a modern problem? Not at all. Back in 1897, people had their own way of coping: they went swimming.

This charming painting captures a lively scene at an Imperial and Royal (k.u.k.) seaside resort on the Upper Adriatic. Looking at it, one can't help but notice that - aside from the wardrobe - not all that much has changed.

The sun, the sea, and the joy of escaping the heat remain timeless, wouldn't you agree?

19th Century Paintings and Watercolours | 23 June 2026: https://www.dorotheum.com/en/a/122471/