Kirche in Taufers c. 1900

Tina Blau created this oil on canvas painting titled "Kirche in Taufers." Blau's impressionistic style captures the essence of the church and its surroundings. Around the time she made this painting, artists had begun to turn away from traditional academic painting. Instead, they were engaging in the tradition of plein air painting, going out into the countryside to make studies of the landscape. Blau was admitted to the Vienna Academy, but only after initially being rejected because of her gender. Later, her work was featured in prestigious exhibitions, so she did find a place in the institutional art world. Yet, she was also a Jewish woman who had to navigate an antisemitic and sexist society. Her paintings allowed her to explore the natural world while also challenging social norms through her artistic pursuits. To understand Blau’s place in Austrian art, explore exhibition records, artist biographies, and period publications. Art history helps us see how individuals make their mark within specific historical conditions.