(Werdau, Saxony 1865-1943 Vienna)
Freyung with Kinsky palace and Schottenkirche, signed and dated E. Graner 1901, watercolour on paper, 24 x 32 cm, inserted in the lid of a leather casket with metal legs and metal handle, stamp F. W. Papke, Vienna Mozartplatz, with key, dimensions of the casket 28 x 37 x 12 cm, (BH)

Ernst Graner is considered one of the most significant watercolour artists in his time. His numerous watercolours count among the most important depictions of Viennese streets and places. The present sheet shows a view of the Freyung with Schottenkirche and Kinsky palace and rich figural staffage. Exceptional is the mounting of the watercolour which is inserted in the lid of a high-quality leather casket provided once by the company.

F. W. Papke was an important enterprise in a specifically Viennese leather retail and artistic bookbinding business during the Austrian Monarchy. The company was founded in 1841 by Karl Papke and its business was continued by his son F. W. Papke. The latter was able to firmly establish a world-wide reputation for his products through customer-oriented arts and crafts activities; he thus strengthened the fame of the Viennese art industry. His solid products were sold to everywhere in the world. Papke also produced countless goods for the emperor’s personal use and he was a privileged supplier to Archduke Eugen. For hjis goods he was awarded at the World Fair 1873 in Vienna; in 1894 he also received a silver medal at the fair of Antwerp. The enterprise of F. W. Papke was located at Mozartplatz (Mozartgasse 4) in Vienna’s 4th district.