These Facade paintings are very prevalent in Southern Bavaria and Austria

It is said the origin of Lüftmalerei comes from the home of the facade painter Franz Seraph Zwinck (1748-1792) from Oberammergau, Zum Lüftl. The Lüftlmalerei is a popular version of the Trompe-l’œil * (illusory) from the Baroque and imitates architectural elements. Imbedded are, as in the high architecture, also pictorial cartridges, mirrors and fields. Their vocabulary ranges from the house patron or house sign on biblical representations to the classic motives of peasant painting from rural life and hunting. Even banners with electoral slogans are common. Furthermore, the sun clock is a popular element.

Facade paintings as seen in Mittenwald, Austria:

The images are applied to the fresh lime plaster in a fresco technique, whereby the colors can be silicified in a chemical reaction with the plaster, and the paintings can last for a long time. Today, other weatherproof mediums are used.

A trompe-l’œil [tʀɔplœj] (French: “deceive the eye”, “deceive” from tromper and l’œil “the eye”) is an illusionistic painting that simulates three-dimensionality through perspective. Especially in wall and ceiling paintings such images extend the look of architecture. They make rooms appear larger or create a view of fantasy landscapes.

 

 

Traveling to Austria can be an enrichment with lots of sights to see. Don’t miss a thing by looking at those guides first. They can be ordered right here: