Raschka Original Signed Poznań Old Market Square Watercolor, Framed With Documented Provenance

Details

Description

An original signed watercolor on paper depicting Poznań’s historic Old Market Square, with its Renaissance Town Hall rising above colorful … Read more An original signed watercolor on paper depicting Poznań’s historic Old Market Square, with its Renaissance Town Hall rising above colorful merchant houses and a lively gathering of townspeople. Possibly by Robert Raschka (1847–1908), the architectural painter and architect represented in the ALBERTINA collection, the work retains its previous owner’s written account of purchasing it in Poznań in September 2001.

A tall clock tower anchors the composition beneath an expansive sky of pale blue washes. Below, closely grouped façades introduce muted teal, cream, and slate tones, punctuated by terracotta roofs and dark window openings. Adults in long coats, a top-hatted gentleman, an adult accompanying a child, and smaller figures gathered near market stalls animate the square.

The painting balances architectural observation with expressive watercolor handling. Transparent washes establish light and atmosphere, while concentrated strokes define the Town Hall’s arcades, decorative roofline, turrets, and surrounding buildings. Overlapping forms and broad foreground shadows create depth, with passages of exposed paper maintaining the composition’s luminosity.

Presented in a decorative gold-tone frame with layered molding, a broad ivory mat, and a narrow gray-blue inner accent, the work has a finished presence suited to a library, study, entryway, or collected gallery wall. Its restrained palette pairs naturally with warm woods, aged brass, patterned textiles, and traditional European interiors.

SIGNATURE & PROPOSED ATTRIBUTION

Signed lower right with an initial that may read B. or R., followed by “Raschka.”

The work is presented as possibly by Robert Raschka (1847–1908). This proposed attribution is based on the surname, watercolor medium, and architectural subject. A conclusive signature match has not been established, and authorship has not been independently confirmed.

The watercolor is undated. Its documented September 2001 acquisition establishes an ownership date rather than an execution date.

ABOUT ROBERT RASCHKA

Robert Raschka was a Bucharest-born, Vienna-based architect and architectural painter whose recorded work includes historic buildings, churches, theaters, and elaborate interiors.

His architectural career included the design, with Anton Hefft, of the Moravian Diet building in Brno. Their winning competition design of 1872–1873 was constructed between 1875 and 1878; the building now houses the Czech Constitutional Court.

The ALBERTINA in Vienna holds Raschka’s “Staircase in the Kunsthistorisches Museum,” dated 1891, executed in pencil, watercolor, and white heightening, and a watercolor of the old Burgtheater. His recorded subjects also include an 1899 watercolor of Wawel in Poland.

Raschka’s architectural work is the subject of Jan Galeta’s scholarly article “Der Wiener Architekt Robert Raschka und seine Wettbewerbsprojekte,” published in Opuscula historiae artium, volume 64, number 1, in 2015.

These details describe the proposed artist’s documented career; they do not establish the authorship or exhibition history of this particular watercolor.

THE SUBJECT: POZNAŃ’S OLD MARKET SQUARE

The scene depicts Stary Rynek, Poznań’s Old Market Square, with the Town Hall and neighboring merchants’ houses, known as domki budnicze.

Established in 1253, the square has long been central to the city’s civic and commercial life. Its defining landmark is the Town Hall, transformed by Italian architect Giovanni Battista di Quadro between 1550 and 1560. Its arcaded façade, decorative turrets, and prominent tower form a distinctive Renaissance ensemble.

The historic clothing and bustling market activity give the painting a narrative character, presenting the architecture within the everyday life of the square. The represented scene should not be taken as a confirmed date of execution.

“Poznań Old Market Square” is a descriptive title identifying the subject.

DOCUMENTED ACQUISITION PROVENANCE

A typed account preserved on the reverse records the previous owner’s September 2001 visit to Poland with Jen and their discovery of this watercolor in an antiquarian shop in Poznań.

The account explicitly identifies the painting’s subject as Poznań’s Old Town Square and records a purchase price of $60, followed by framing costing approximately $100.

The complete note reads:

“In September 2001, Jen and I traveled to Poland. While in the city of Poznan we came across this watercolor in an ‘antique’ store called ‘Antykwariat.’ I say antique store in quotes because in Poland anything made prior to the war is not permitted to leave the country. In any case this picture is of the old town square in Poznan and the price was $60.00. The framing was around $100.00.”

“Antykwariat” is the Polish term for an antiquarian shop; the note does not supply a separately identifiable business name or address. Its statement concerning export restrictions preserves the collector’s understanding at the time and is not an export certificate or official age classification.

The watercolor was subsequently acquired from an estate sale, where it was cataloged as:

“Artist Signed Polish Old Town Square Watercolor on Paper Painting.”

PROFESSIONAL CUSTOM FRAMING

The painting was professionally custom-framed by Alexandria Picture Framing, 110 S. Fayette Street, Alexandria, Virginia.

The retained framer’s label bears reference number 18752 and specifically marks “Conservation Glass (UV Blocking).” A separate Tru Vue label confirms conservation glass featuring TruGuard UV protection.

The presentation includes:

• Gold-tone frame with layered molding and repeating rectangular ornament
• Antiqued finish with dark recessed accents and decorative speckling
• Broad ivory mat with a narrow gray-blue inner accent
• UV-blocking conservation glass
• Brown paper backing
• Hanging wire attached at both sides
• Preserved acquisition account and framing labels

The manufacturer’s label recommends avoiding direct sunlight, fluorescent light, high heat, and humidity, and using an ammonia-free glass cleaner.

DIMENSIONS

Approximately 16.75 inches wide × 20.5 inches high × 0.75 inch deep overall.

Dimensions are from the estate catalog, interpreted in the portrait orientation shown. The visible artwork has not been separately measured.

Additional Details

Signature: B. or R. Raschka, lower right
Proposed attribution: Possibly Robert Raschka (1847–1908), unconfirmed
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Subject: Poznań Old Market Square and Town Hall, Poland
Execution date: Undated; acquired September 2001 See less