Piepenhagen

August Friedrich Piepenhagen (1791-1868) 

Charlotte Piepenhagen (1821-1902)

Luise Piepenhagen (1825-1893)

In 2009/2010, the National Gallery in Prague dedicated an extensive exhibition to the Piepenhagen family of painters - a special tribute to these early landscape painters.

August Friedrich Piepenhagen was born in Soldin near Frankfurt an der Oder in 1791. Coming from a modest background, he initially began an apprenticeship as a button and lacemaker, before moving to Switzerland as a journeyman.

Despite his acquaintance with Johann Heinrich Wuest from Zurich and the motivic influence of Salomon Gessner, it is generally assumed that Piepenhagen was primarily self-taught and that the strong natural impressions of the Swiss landscapes inspired him to draw and paint. In 1811 he moved to Prague and in 1815 took over the button-making workshop of his predecessor, whose widow he married. Between 1816 and 1825, four daughters were born to him, of whom he trained Charlotte and Louisa to become painters. From the 1820s at the latest, he was continuously active as a landscape painter alongside his successful work as an entrepreneur. Accompanied by Charlotte and Louisa, he undertook numerous journeys through Germany, France and Belgium from the middle of the century. His great popularity, especially in the centers of Prague, Vienna, Linz, Munich and Berlin, and the strong demand for his romantic compositions, prompted him to compile sample books of paintings in miniature format, according to which interested parties could order works according to their preferences.

August Piepenhagen died in Jeneralka near Prague on September 27, 1868. His artistic legacy was carried on by his daughters and pupils Charlotte and Luise.