ZAHRADNICZEK, JOSEPH: VIEW OF HVAR

Joseph Zahradniczek was an Austrian landscape draftsman and graphic artist from the first half of the 19th century. He is the author of a lithograph depicting the town of Hvar in the Split area as an important sea port located on the south side of the island of Hvar. The view of the town of Hvar is drawn from the sea side perspective. The Italian name of the old Greek Pharos (Lesina) points to the importance of its five-century history under the Venetian Republic. As a strong naval base and a home of culture (with theater) and of old noble families, it was guarded by fortifications located on the elevation, surrounded by walls and guarded by the protected port. It was only at the end of the 18th century that it lost its military and maritime importance. After the brief Napoleon administration at the turn of the century, the beginning of the 19th century was welcomed by the Habsburgs. This view shows two sailboats and several fishing boats in the foreground. Behind the closed harbour there is a town in which noble houses dominate the right side of the protected bay. Behind the town are walls and Fortica with a flag on the western elevation above the city. The authors emphasize the commercial activity of the city, with civilian ships and live social activity in the port. Labels R. Alt. Del. ... K.k. ausßchl.priv. Chromotithographie von Alois Leykam in Vienna ... If. Zahradnichez senior lith. are located below the bottom edge of the view.