Franz Jaschke
Trsat / View of the Ruins and the Franciscan Monastery on Trsat, 1st quarter of the 19th century
gouache on paper
44.2 x 63 cm
MG-3

Franz Jaschke (Rosenthal near Klodzko, 1775 – Vienna, 1842), an Austrian painter born in Rosenthal, left a significant mark in the artistic depiction of Croatian landscapes and urban scenes in the early 19th century. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1794, where he adopted the solid foundations of Classicist aesthetics, particularly within the framework of Austrian topographical-veduta painting. As a court painter to Archdukes Ludwig and Rainer, Jaschke traveled through various parts of Croatia on several occasions — notably in 1807, 1808, and 1810. During these journeys, he recorded landscapes, towns, and people in watercolors and drawings characterized by exceptional documentary and artistic value. His works include views of the fortresses in Gradiška and Brod, panoramas of Trsat and Rijeka, as well as natural beauties such as the source of the Una River.
Jaschke stayed in Rijeka during the 1830s, and his interest in the local environment was translated into meticulously crafted compositions that combine topographical accuracy with the harmonious balance of Classicist composition. This approach is evident in his veduta depicting the Franciscan monastery on Trsat, situated on a hilltop and surrounded by a terraced landscape and a valley with a winding river. In addition to the monastery, the ruins of the Trsat Castle are also shown, making this a historically valuable portrayal of the area at the time. By including a figure in traditional folk costume, the painting further captures the identity and spirit of the region.

Text: Luciana Fuks, trainee curator at the National Museum of Modern Art © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb
Photo: Goran Vranić © National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb