UNKNOWN ARTIST, MARTIAL SCENE WITH AUSTRIAN CAVALRY

UNKNOWN ARTIST (attributed to Ludwig August Helvig?) MARTIAL SCENE WITH AUSTRIAN CAVALRY UNKNOWN ARTIST (attributed to Ludwig August Helvig?) Stuttgart, mid-19th century Lithograph printed in black ink, titled "Oesterreichische Gefechte" and published with the inscription "Stuttgart bei F. Baumann, unter der Mauer." 21 x 27.5 cm / 8.3 x 10.8 in; framed 33.5 x 42 cm / 13.2 x 16.5 in PROVENANCE Private collection, Vienna This lively lithograph, depicting a clash between soldiers on horseback in full uniform, fits into the broader tradition of battle scenes that flourished in the German-speaking world in the mid-19th century. Although unsigned, it was printed in Stuttgart and sold by F. Baumann, whose workshop was located "unter der Mauer"—literally "under the wall," probably within the perimeter of the old city of Stuttgart. Considering the quality of the drawing, the balanced but dynamic composition, and the stylistic proximity to other known works, this print can be cautiously attributed to Ludwig August Helvig (1796–1855), a versatile lithographer, draftsman, and art teacher active in Tübingen and Stuttgart. Trained by the engraver Carl Ebner, Helvig opened one of the first lithographic studios in Tübingen, subsequently producing a wide range of images, from portraits and urban views to historical and military subjects. Lithography in Stuttgart experienced remarkable development and increasing popularity between the early and mid-19th century. Artists like Helvig responded to local and national demand for accessible visual culture by documenting urban life, producing sheet music and academic illustrations, and depicting moments of patriotic or historical importance. In this context, battle scenes like "Oesterreichische Gefechte" gained popularity as an expression of national sentiment and visual drama.