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Artwork dossier

Artwork dossier: Holy Night

Order Holy Night as a hand-painted oil edition

Albin Egger-Lienz, Holy Night, Schloss Bruck. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

Holy Night artwork fact sheet

Artist
Albin Egger-Lienz originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/albin-egger-lienz/
Artist’s dates
1868 – 1926
Held at
Schloss Bruck originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/schloss-bruck-lienz/

In context

Holy Night — Albin Egger-Lienz

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 58 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Albin Egger-Lienz (1868–1926) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1893 Main working years: 1893–1925 Late works: from 1925

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/albin-egger-lienz-holy-night-9DG3P4-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #3d2b0d

    Catalogued palette

    • #3D2B0D
    • #593611
    • #9D4415
    • #D8D0C7

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Dark The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Serene How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Clear Color Presence How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Albin Egger-Lienz over the last twelve months — 8 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 72.5%2,900 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 7.5%300 visits
    3. 3 Austria 5.0%200 visits
    4. 4 Russia 5.0%200 visits
    5. 5 Japan 2.5%100 visits
    6. 6 Netherlands 2.5%100 visits
    7. 7 Singapore 2.5%100 visits
    8. 8 Slovakia 2.5%100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Albin Egger-Lienz

    1. 1 Ila, die jüngere Tochter des Künstlers, 1920 7.1%300 visits
    2. 2 Female head with binding to the hair 4.8%200 visits
    3. 3 The Portrait Painter In The Country 4.8%200 visits
    4. 4 Male head with bitter expression 4.8%200 visits
    5. 5 Die Alten, 1914 4.8%200 visits
    6. 6 Hulda, 1903 4.8%200 visits
    7. 7 Savoy arden knabe 2.4%100 visits
    8. 8 Madonna 2.4%100 visits
    9. 9 Holy Night this painting 2.4%100 visits
    10. 10 The Cross - 2.4%100 visits
    11. 11 Kalvarienberg At Bozen 2.4%100 visits
    12. 12 Sower and the Devil 2.4%100 visits
    13. 13 Knight with sword 2.4%100 visits
    14. 14 Female curls with laughing expression 2.4%100 visits
    15. 15 Two Overs 2.4%100 visits
    16. 16 Christnacht 2.4%100 visits
    17. 17 Teenage curly head, laughing 2.4%100 visits
    18. 18 The dead christ 2.4%100 visits
    19. 19 The Sandpergerin Rottin and his wife 2.4%100 visits
    20. 20 Two mountain mower 2.4%100 visits

    Together these works take 64.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 184 works by this artist, of which 35 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 9 of them, with 2.4% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Albin Egger-Lienz

    Born in Stribach, Austria

    Albin Egger-Lienz: Life and Legacy

    Early Life and Training

    Born: January 29, 1868, in Dölsach-Stribach near Lienz, Tyrol, Austria.

    Parentage: He was the natural son of Maria Trojer, a peasant girl, and Georg Egger, a church painter. He later adopted his father’s surname combined with his birthplace.

    His initial artistic education came from his father, laying the foundation for his future career.

    He continued his studies at the Academy in Munich, where he was profoundly influenced by artists like Franz Defregger and Jean-François Millet.

    Artistic Development and Influences

    Egger-Lienz’s early works focused on scenes of peasant life and historical events, particularly the Tyrolean Rebellion of 1809.

    Key Influence: The artist Ferdinand Hodler significantly impacted Egger-Lienz's style, leading to a monumental expressiveness characterized by heroic figures in stage-like spaces.

    He joined the Vienna Secession in 1909, further solidifying his position within the Austrian art scene.

    His artistic language evolved towards strongly outlined, massive forms painted with an almost monochromatic palette of earth colors.

    Major Works and Achievements

    Notable Paintings: Some of his most renowned works include “Der Totentanz von anno neun” (1906-1908), “Almlandschaft im Ötztal” (1911), and “Den Namenlosen” (1916).

    He participated in the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900, receiving a bronze medal for his painting "Feldsegen."

    During World War I, he served as a war painter on the southern Austrian front.

    His later works often incorporated religious themes alongside scenes of peasant life, such as “Christ’s Resurrection.”

    Historical Significance and Legacy

    Unique Style: Egger-Lienz blended elements of Expressionism with traditional Austrian art, creating a distinctive style that set him apart from his contemporaries.

    His work often explored themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the connection between humanity and nature.

    He declined multiple professorships at prestigious academies, preferring to maintain artistic independence.

    Lasting Impact: His paintings continue to be celebrated for their emotional power and monumental scale, representing a significant contribution to Austrian art history.

    Final Years and Death

    Egger-Lienz spent his final years painting frescoes for the Memorial Chapel of the Fallen in War in Lienz.

    Death: He passed away on November 4, 1926, in St. Justina-Rentsch, Bozen/Bolzano, South Tyrol/Alto Adige, Italy, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy.

    Museum

    Schloss Bruck

    On show in Lienz, Austria

    The History of Schloss Bruck

    Schloss Bruck, also known as Burg Bruck, is a medieval castle situated in Lienz, Tyrol, Austria. The history of the site is closely linked to the development of the surrounding region. Lienz itself was first mentioned as Luenzina in a deed issued by the Bishop of Brixen around 1030. The municipality extends to include the cadastral subdivision of Patriasdorf.

    The fortification reached a significant stage of completion in 1278, when the Counts of Gorizia finished the structure. For over two centuries, the castle functioned as the local seat for the Counts of Gorizia. This period of governance continued until 1500. Notably, Leonhard of Gorizia (1440–1500) was born within the walls of the castle.

    The Architecture and Setting of the Castle

    Schloss Bruck is situated at an elevation of 711 metres above sea level. The site is known as the Görzer Residenzburg and occupies a prominent position within the Lienz district of Tyrol, Austria. The castle's physical presence is defined by its location at the foot of one of the largest alpine megafans in the Alps. This geological formation reaches a height of 350 m and extends across a radius of 2.5 km.

    The medieval structure was originally the local seat of the Counts of Gorizia until 1500. Its architecture reflects its history as a fortified residence. The castle's placement on the edge of the alpine megafan provides a specific topographical context to the surrounding landscape of East Tyrol. The building remains a central feature of the Lienz area, functioning as a venue for various cultural activities within its historic walls.

    The Museum Collection and Artworks

    Since the museum opened in 1945, the in-house collection has focused on a selection of paintings, sculptures, and folk art. The holdings reflect the regional history and the artistic development of the Tyrol area. Much of the permanent collection is centered on the work of Albin Egger Lienz, whose presence is a defining feature of the museum's holdings.

    The works of Albin Egger Lienz within these walls demonstrate a shift toward monumental, expressive forms. His paintings often utilize a palette of earth colors and strong outlines to depict themes of peasant life and religious subjects. The collection includes several significant pieces by the artist, such as:

    Saint Sebastian, 1887

    Hulda, 1903

    The sea, Katwijk

    The Tyrolean waitress

    The loggers

    Beyond the paintings, the museum preserves various sculptures and examples of folk art. These objects provide a physical record of the material culture and aesthetic traditions of the Lienz district. The arrangement of these pieces within the medieval structure allows for a direct connection between the art and the historical setting of the castle.

    Cultural Events and Recent Projects

    Schloss Bruck functions as a venue for theater performances, concerts, readings, and soirées. The museum utilizes the Schlosshof to host various exhibitions and musical performances. These activities take place within the historic walls of the Görzer Residenzburg, where the architecture itself becomes part of the performance during evening events.

    The museum maintains a living collaboration with Stadtkultur Lienz. This partnership supports the Kultursommer 2024, which runs from 30 May to 13 October 2024. Such programming ensures the castle remains a central meeting point for those interested in art and music.

    Albin Egger-Lienz study guide: keep exploring

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Holy Night

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/albin-egger-lienz-holy-night-9DG3P4-en/

    Citing this artwork: Holy Night

    MLA
    Egger-Lienz, Albin. Holy Night. n.d., Schloss Bruck. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albin-egger-lienz-holy-night-9DG3P4-en/
    APA
    Egger-Lienz, Albin (n.d.). Holy Night [Painting]. Schloss Bruck. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albin-egger-lienz-holy-night-9DG3P4-en/
    Chicago
    Albin Egger-Lienz. Holy Night. n.d. Schloss Bruck. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albin-egger-lienz-holy-night-9DG3P4-en/
    Harvard
    Egger-Lienz, Albin (n.d.) Holy Night. Schloss Bruck. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/albin-egger-lienz-holy-night-9DG3P4-en/

    For art students and researchers

    Holy Night — Albin Egger-Lienz

    Close-looking art worksheet on Holy Night, for students and researchers

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: religious, night. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Madonna, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    How can I view "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz as a slideshow?

    "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz can be viewed as a slideshow on the artwork's Diaporama page.

    What level of contrast does "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz show?

    The light-dark contrast of "Holy Night" is recorded as serene. Contrast describes how strongly light and dark areas differ.

    How strong are the colors of "Holy Night"?

    "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz is recorded with a clear color presence saturation and a balanced intensity.

    Where can I see a preview of "Holy Night"?

    To preview a reproduction of "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz, open the artwork's Preview page.

    Is "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz in the public domain?

    "Holy Night" by Albin Egger-Lienz is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. This status governs how the image of the work may be reproduced.

    All the questions and answers about Holy Night