untitled

gelatin silver print

artist name (attributed by another hand, pencil)

The photograph exemplifies a combination characteristic of the Austrian photographer Rudolf Koppitz: documentary-style observation, finely tuned lighting, and a culturally idealized composition. Presumably commissioned by the magazine Die heilige Stadt Gottes (later stadtgottes) of the Steyler Missionare from Maria Enzersdorf, Koppitz produced an entire series of photographs in East Tyrol.¹ In doing so, he documented rural life, religious customs, and the impressive traditional costumes.
(Christoph Fuchs, translated by deepL)

Note

1
The previous owner of the work acquired part of the series at a young age while working for the magazine stadtgottes. One photograph is labeled "East Tyrol" on verso. Whether the series was ever published in the magazine has not yet been determined. The geographical proximity of the publisher (Maria Enzersdorf) and Koppitz’s place of residence (Perchtoldsdorf) further underscores a connection.