Hermann Kuen: A Bavarian Painter in the Service of the Auerspergs of Vlašim

Abstract

Hermann Kuen: A Bavarian Painter in the Service of the Auerspergs of Vlašim
The text describes the activities of the Bavarian painter Hermann Kuen in the years 1781–1805 in the Bohemian town of Vlašim with the Princes of Auersperg. Due to the fact that his works are not preserved, the biographical and sociological levels, which trace his movement in social structures, are of importance. Kuen thus moves from being a painter of Baroque church frescoes in the 1770s to the role of chief decorator of the landscape park of Karel Josef Auersperg in Vlašim. This is in Phase I of the park, when Kuen creates, among other things, exotic paintings of the pavilions, but probably also in the late sentimental phase of the park under William I. Auersperg around 1800, when he is probably also the co-author of the illusory facade of the castle.