The Peterhof near St. Petersburg

If anything, the watercolours of Franz Kopallik (1860-1931) are worthy of a dynastic collection. The majestic grandeur of the architectural pictures represent a worldly character that suits a monarch. Born in Vienna, Kopallik followed an art education between 1878 and 1884. In 1898 he travelled to Russia, as instructed by Franz Liechtenstein, the prince of Liechtenstein. He went to St. Petersburg and Moscow and was inspired by the beautiful buildings of this Eastern European country. The soft colours and light application of paint suggest an ideal, though tangible world. The high buildings and grand halls symbolize the greatness of the duchy of Liechtenstein. Kopallik painted genre and history paintings as well, but he is especially renowned for his architectural compositions. Kopallik mainly received assignments from the European nobility and upper-classes. Liechtenstein was not his only royal client, as Franz Josef from Austria also commissioned several works. Kopallik's skill to correctly identify the royal and noble identity had thus reached the highest ranks of society.