Johann Baptist Drechsler (Vienna 1756-1811) Flowers in a glass vase with grapes on a stone plinth, signed lower right: Joh. Drechsler f., oil on panel, 69.5 x 57 cm, framed ÜBERLANGTEXT Provenance: Private collection, Munich The status enjoyed by Viennese flower painting would be inconceivable without the artistic contribution of Johann Baptist Drechsler. The artist began his career painting porcelain, working at the Vienna Porcelain Manufactory from 1772 to 1785 before being appointed to head a flower painting class at the Vienna Academy. He drew his inspiration from the Dutch flower painting of Jan van Huysum and Rachel Ruysch. The Viennese public were enthused by the luxuriance of the subject matter and the realistic style. Drechsler’s flower arrangements exude an atmospheric lightness created by the bright accents of colour and mark the zenith of his artistic career.