The Old Graben in Vienna – 19th-Century Hand-Colored Engraving, 1853
A charming original 19th-century hand-colored engraving depicting Die alte Graben-Ecke in Wien (“The Old Graben Corner in Vienna”), engraved after a drawing by Petrovich and published around 1853. This lively street scene captures the heart of Vienna’s old town — the bustling Graben district near Stephansplatz — with its elegant façades, horse-drawn carriages, and promenading citizens.
The composition focuses on the famous Caffeehaus und Restauration Zur goldenen Krone, with its sign proudly reading “A la couronne d’or.” The surrounding architecture reflects the Viennese Biedermeier and early Ringstrasse styles, while the figures in contemporary dress bring the 19th-century city to life. Shops, cafés, and street vendors line the cobbled square, evoking the vibrant rhythm of daily urban life before the major redevelopment of the Graben in the late 1800s.
Vienna’s Graben, one of its oldest and most famous streets, evolved from a medieval moat into a fashionable promenade filled with cafés and luxury stores. This print documents the area before its modern transformation — a valuable historical view of pre-Ringstrasse Vienna.
Condition: Very good early hand-coloring with fine detail. Light overall toning and faint margin wear consistent with age. A strong, well-preserved impression with visible plate mark.
Framing tips: Best presented in a classic walnut or ebonized frame with a cream mat, emphasizing the architectural tones and historical warmth of the piece.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving on laid paper Maker: Drawn by Petrovich, engraved by J. Brodtmann (?), Vienna, circa 1853
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