Franz Poledne

Franz Poledne (10 April 1873, Vienna – 7 January 1932, Klosterneuburg) was an Austrian painter and illustrator; best known for his vedute of Vienna.

The Eisgrübl buildings, on the Petersplatz

The Albertina and the
Augustinian Church

Life and work

In 1888, while still a teenager, he began working in the studios of the set decorator, Hermann Burghart. He worked there until 1893. During that time, he attended the drawing school at the Höhere Graphische Bundes-Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (Higher Federal Graphical Training and Research Institute). After that, he became an illustrator for magazines such as Über Land und Meer and the Illustrirte Welt [de].^[1] From 1907 until his death, he worked for the Illustrierte Kronen Zeitung.

As a painter, he produced oils and watercolors.^[2] His vedute documented the changes taking place in early 20th century Vienna, and he was one of a group of painters, including Rudolf von Alt, Emil Hütter [de], Franz Kopallik [de], Richard Moser [de] and Erwin Pendl [de] who created the familiar, sentimental image of "Old Vienna [de]"^[3]

He took part in World War I as a Master Corporal in the Landsturm, a reserve unit composed of older men. At the end of the war, he was awarded the Zivil-Verdienstkreuz [de] (Civil Merit Cross) on the Medal for Bravery.^[4] He was also one of the numerous painters who were employed by the Royal War Press Quarters [de]^[5]

He died following a serious illness. He had been treated by his friend, Dr. Emil Gelny [de], who later became involved in the Nazi eugenics program.^[2]