Whispers of Elegance: Rediscovering Peter Fendi’s Sensual Designs in Biedermeier Art

Peter Fendi (1796-1842), a distinguished Austrian court painter and engraver, stands as a prominent figure of the Biedermeier period. His significance in this artistic era becomes evident through the attribution of numerous anonymous erotic paintings of the time to his name. Fendi’s mastery not only lies in the brushstrokes that adorned courtly scenes but also extends to the subtle allure of sensuality captured in the clandestine artworks of the Biedermeier epoch. The silent testament to his influence resonates in the anonymous canvases that echo with a delicate yet provocative expression of the era’s hidden desires.

Fig. 1. Peter Feпdi, Self-Portrait, 1830 (Wikipedia.org)

Early Years

Born into a family led by a schoolmaster, Peter Fendi faced an early twist of fate when an accidental fall from a changing table resulted in irreparable damage to his spine. Remarkably, this physical setback failed to dampen the burgeoning talents that Fendi displayed from his formative years. His innate drawing skills paved the way for enrollment at St. Anna’s Academy of Fine Art in 1810, where, at the tender age of thirteen, he embarked on a three-year artistic journey.

Despite the untimely loss of his father, Fendi persevered and found a means of livelihood by engaging in paperwork at a law firm. This period of dual commitment—nurturing his artistic abilities while shouldering responsibilities in the legal realm—reflects the resilience and determination that would characterize Fendi’s life and career.

Fig. 2. ѕаd News (Wikipedia.org)

The Imperial Gallery

A fortuitous encounter with Joseph Barth a couple of years later marked a turning point in Peter Fendi’s life. Barth, not only the personal ophthalmologist to Emperor Joseph II but also an avid art collector with connections to numerous significant artists, became instrumental in reshaping Fendi’s trajectory. Through Barth’s influential network, Fendi secured a position at the Imperial Gallery of Coins and Antiquities.

Within the prestigious gallery, Fendi assumed roles as both a skilled draftsman and engraver, contributing to the rich artistic tapestry of the time. His creative prowess extended to designing elements for Austrian banknotes from that era. Fueled by his passion for art and a thirst for knowledge, Fendi embarked on journeys to Salzburg and Venice, accompanying the Gallery’s director, Anton von Steimbüchel, on expeditions that further enriched his artistic studies and experiences.

Fig. 3. Daddy’s comiпg (piпterest.com)

Fig. 4. piпterest.com

Fig. 5. Saiпt Agпes, lithograph, 1821 (britishmυseυm.org)

The Favorite

In 1833, Peter Fendi’s introduction to the court unfolded through the auspices of the new director of the antique cabinet where the artist was employed. The Austrian princesses, captivated by his talent, swiftly appointed him as a drawing teacher. By 1836, Fendi’s standing in the artistic community ascended as he earned membership in the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

As Fendi’s reputation flourished, he became the portraitist of choice among the aristocracy, securing a prominent place in the cultural milieu. His artistry extended beyond the canvas, leaving behind a profound legacy of engravings and watercolors that continue to resonate with artistic brilliance.

Fig. 6. Paп aпd Nymph (kυпst-fυer-alle.de)

Fig. 7. Hope (deaпjosephfiпeart.com)

eгotіс Watercolors

In 1910, a collection of forty erotic watercolors, attributed to Peter Fendi, came into our possession through a book of reproductions. The originals, unfortunately, were lost to time, casting a shadow of doubt on Fendi’s authorship. Nevertheless, drawing parallels with another court painter, Mihaly Zichy, suggests the plausible attribution to Fendi. Some assert that these watercolors were commissioned by the Austrian imperial family. The Erotica Universalis edition places the creation of these images around 1835, a period when Fendi was at the zenith of his career.

The Dictionary of Erotic Artists notes that Hungarian painter Julius Zauber reproduced some of these pictures in the 1880s. However, Zauber’s designs appear to be even more enigmatic than the pseudo-Fendi originals, adding another layer of mystery to this intriguing collection.

Fig. 8. A ѕoсіаɩ Eveпiпg (wikimedia.org)

Fig. 9. Swimmers (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 10. Lovers (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 11. Lovers (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 12. eгotіс sceпe (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 13. Foυпtaiп sceпe (Erotica υпiversalis, p. 483)

Biedermeier

ChatGPT

Peter Fendi, a maestro of Biedermeier art, skillfully navigated away from the monumental and passionate Romanticism that preceded it, offering a sharp contrast to its fervor. Biedermeier art, in essence, celebrated the simple joys of bourgeois life. Fendi’s legacy is a tapestry woven with idyllic scenes featuring playful children and beautiful maidens, capturing the essence of this tranquil aesthetic.

Intriguingly, some of Fendi’s erotic watercolors seamlessly blend with the Biedermeier style, depicting reclining couples or intimate gatherings of three. These artworks portray peaceful open-air encounters and room orgies, devoid of violence. Each character engages in more or less common sensual activities, steering clear of the use of ropes, whips, or any other coercive devices often seen in de Sade illustrations. Fendi’s interpretation of sensuality within the Biedermeier framework preserves an air of harmony and consensual pleasure, diverging markedly from the more extreme and forceful depictions found in other artistic traditions.

Fig. 14. Bathiпg Sceпe (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 15. After the meal (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 16. Iп the Bed (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 17. Mυsic Lessoп (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 18. Iп the Ьагп (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 19. Mυtυal Frieпd (Wikimedia.org)

Fig. 20. eгotіс sceпe (erotica υпiversalis, p. 464)

Fig. 21. Bathers (erotica υпiversalis, p. 468)

Fig. 22. eгotіс sceпe (erotica υпiversalis, p. 470)

Fig. 23. eгotіс sceпe (erotica υпiversalis, p. 472)

Fig. 24. eгotіс sceпe (erotica υпiversalis, p. 474)

Fig. 25. eгotіс sceпe (erotica υпiversalis, p. 465)

Fig. 26. eгotіс sceпe (erotica υпiversalis, p. 469)

Piп-Up

Yet another facet of Fendi’s watercolors delves into acrobatic intimacy, a portrayal that unfolds within the confines of a circus-like setting. The scene, set against the backdrop of a large room with long white curtains, evokes a reminiscent charm akin to holiday postcards featuring jubilant individuals in costumes. In a fascinating turn, this postcard ambiance serves as a bridge, connecting the Biedermeier images with a style that emerged from postcard and calendar prints. The fusion of acrobatic sensuality and the nostalgic postcard aesthetic weaves a captivating narrative, seamlessly blending two distinct artistic genres into a harmonious visual tale.