(Vienna 1874-1924)
In the canons’ sacristy in Vienna’s Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, signed and dated Richard Moser 1916, watercolor on paper, 30,5 x 22 cm, mounted, framed, (BH)

Richard Moser, who often painted various motifs in and around St. Stephen's Cathedral, provides here a rare insight into the canons' sacristy, which is not open to the public. The room, completed in 1735, is located to the south of the nave and is separated by a gate from the "lower sacristy", which is twice as large. The checkerboard floor characteristic of St. Stephen's can also be found in the sacristies. These side rooms are used to store liturgical equipment and vestments as well as for spiritual preparation for the service. The personification of the church, which is located under the canopy and holds the key of Peter and a model of the church in its hands, is clearly recognizable. A dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit hovers above the figure, which, like all the stucco work in the room, is completely white. The magnificent ceiling painting of the canons' sacristy, which shows the delivery of the keys to Peter, cannot be seen in this watercolor, as opposed to the depiction of John the Evangelist above the window. The two lavabos in this room with the crowning decorative vases and playing putti, one of which Moser had depicted, were designed by Georg Raphael Donner in whose workshop they were probably made. The sacristy including the furniture which is shown in the present watercolor have been preserved in their original state.