156 CultureShock! Austria
Biedermeier Era (1780–1848)
The large, ostentatious buildings of the Baroque period
gave way to the simple, smaller, purposeful buildings of the
Biedermeier era. Bieder translates to ‘respectable’, and Meier
was a common surname that symbolised the perfect citizen.
At this time, democratic sentiments were on the rise after
the American and French revolutions, but the economic
situation was bleak as the state finances were being drained
by the Austrian military’s unsuccessful campaigns. State
Chancellor Metternich created a secret police, began a policy
of censorship and caused the loss of many civil rights.
People withdrew to their private interests. At home, it was
commonplace for music to be performed, literature to be
read and games to be played in private salons among friends
and family. Musical evenings known as Schubertiades, where
Schubert’s Lieder (songs) were played, were popular. Theatres,
concert halls and other venues were becoming more
accessible to the middle class. The salons were decorated
in a pleasant yet simple style. There were fine paintings
decorating the walls, comfortable lightwood furniture to
lounge on, charming clocks on the mantelpiece and delicate
china and silverware adorning the dinner table. Biedermeier
decor is still popular in many homes today.Painting
Paintings of the Biedermeier period reflected the need
to capture a realistic image of nature. Known as Austrian
Realism, the style focused on forests, lakes, mountains and
idyllic rural landscapes. The movement was toward the
impressionistic idea of capturing a single moment in time.
Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Friedrich Gauermann, Friedrich
von Amerling, Rudolf von Alt, Moritz von Schwind and Peter
Fendi all contributed to finding this realism in art.Music
Franz Seraph Peter Schubert (1797–1828)
Schubert was thought to be the epitome of a Biedermeier
artist. Although he never attained the recognition of virtuoso
performers like Mozart and Beethoven, his music was lyrical