Das neue Rathaus 1898

Carl Moll captured Vienna's new city hall with an oil painting. Moll used traditional methods to depict a modern scene, the new Rathaus, a powerful symbol of urban life. The texture of the paint and the artist's brushstrokes imbue the canvas with a sense of atmosphere, almost like a hazy memory of the city. The building's grand architectural details and the figures strolling in front are brought to life through the artist's skilled craftsmanship. The contrast between the old and the new, the urban and the natural, is palpable in the image. The painting underscores the significance of material, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.