(Viktring 1849-1925) Hans von Rainer zu Harbach (1863-1935) and his wife Malwine, born Freiin Billek-August von Auenfels, oil on canvas, 165 x 120 cm, framed, (GS)

Hans von Rainer zu Harbach’s and his wife’s portrait was painted by his cousin Johanna von Moro (her mother Caroline von Moro was the sister of his father August von Rainer zu Harbach). Johanna von Moro was the leading exponent of the so-called younger Viktringer artists’ circle. She grew up in an artistic milieu. Her mother Caroline painted intimate landscapes of some quality. In 1871 Johanna married the Italian Count Emanuele Morozzo della Rocca. The couple lived in Turin and Rome. In 1884 and 1886 Johanna stayed in Munich where she studied with the painter Prof. Nikolaus Gysis. In 1885 she settled for good in Viktring. Johanna von Moro was a talented painter of landscapes and flowers, but also created numerous portraits, which, like this one, are among the best of her time.

Provenance: Lords of Rainer zu Harbach

The paintings offered as lots 18 – 40 come from the collection of the Carinthian merchant family of Rainer zu Harbach that was nobilised in 1755 and 1790 to the Duchy of Carinthia.
Johann of Rainer zu Harbach (born 1782) was a founder of lead mines in Bleiburg, Petzen and Feistritz.
Through his white lead factory he became one of the best-known Carinthian industrials.

He owned the estates of Freyenthurn, Rothenthurn and Harbach.