Franz Kadlik

Franz Kadlik (Prague 1786-1840) Three GuardianAngels, signed, dated Kadlik. p. 1822, oil on canvas, 63.5 x 78 cm, framed, (Rei) Compare: Friedrich vonBoetticher, Malerwerke des 19. Jahrhunderts, Vol.I,2, p.663, no. 3. Franz Kadlik Painter and lithographer. He was initially intended for thechurch but in the art loving Count Johann Rudolf Czernin he found apatron who enabled him to study at the Prague Academy from 1803with J. Bergler the Younger. In 1815 he was awarded the major prizefor his painting "Hagar and Ismael". In 1817 he accompanied CountCzernin to Vienna where he continued his studies under F. H. Fügerand F. Caucig. In 1824 he was appointed Comital court painter. Hespent 1825 in Rome with an imperial annuity where his acquaintancewith the Nazarenes would play a key role. As a consequence, his subsequent works focused almost entirely on religiousthemes. In 1832 he returned to Vienna to fight with Führich, Kupelwieser and Steinle against the continuing academicism. In1836 he was appointed director of the Academy in Prague. Hereorganised the Academy which subsequently flourished under hisleadership. After only three years he died as the result of athroat illness which he had caught in Italy.