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GOTTFRIED STEFFAN

HERALDIC DRAWING WITH IMPERIAL EAGLE

GOTTFRIED STEFFAN
Wädenswil 1815 – Munich 1905

Signed and dated lower margin: Jägerndorf, April 10, 1867 / Gottfried Steffan
Pencil on paper
29 × 20 cm; mount: 40 × 30 cm
Unframed, very good condition.

This refined drawing by Gottfried Steffan, a central figure of the Munich School, presents a heraldic composition of remarkable precision: an imperial eagle enclosed within a richly ornamented Baroque cartouche, surmounted by the imperial crown. The symmetrical layout, stylised vegetal motifs, and subtle graphite shading suggest a preparatory study for an official coat of arms or a decorative architectural element.

Though primarily celebrated for his romantic Alpine landscapes, Steffan was also a highly skilled draughtsman, producing drawings of meticulous detail and finesse. The present sheet is signed and dated Jägerndorf, 10 April 1867—a town then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now known as Krnov in the Czech Republic. Located in Austrian Silesia, this multicultural region served as a crossroads of Central European influences, often echoed in the romantic and historicist sensibilities of 19th-century artists.

Minor signs of handling and age; overall very good condition. Presented in a modern mount.

Base: Paper

Epoque: XIX century

Genre: Allegory

School: German

School: Austrian

Technic: Pencil