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Luigi Leisner (1889-1970) - 'Fidelio', Etching of the Vienna State Opera, c. 1920-1940

Black and white etching of the Vienna State Opera with a musical score of Beethoven's Fidelio, signed by Luigi Leisner.

Estimated value

$75 - $175

Rarity

Average(4/10)

Era

c. 1920-1940

Origin

🇦🇹 Austria

Artist / Creator

Luigi Leisner

Authenticity

Very High(85%)
55

LUIGI LEISNER (1889-1970) - 'FIDELIO', ETCHING OF THE VIENNA STATE OPERA, C. 1920-1940: IDENTIFICATION

Original etching on paper depicting the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) under a bare winter tree. The lower portion of the plate features a hand-etched musical staff with notes from Beethoven's opera 'Fidelio' and the inscription 'Ludwig van Beethoven'. The work is signed in pencil 'L Leisner' in the lower right margin and inscribed 'Orig Rad' (Original Radierung) in the lower left.

Compare with other prints in the archive: Abstract Mixed Media Print ('Monoprint'), Abstract Chromatic Lithograph by A. Vrede, Attributed to Hundertwasser Print, Framed.

PRINT LINEAGE

Luigi Leisner was an Austrian printmaker active in the early to mid-20th century, specifically known for his 'Heimatkunst' style etchings of Viennese architectural landmarks. This piece commemorates the Vienna State Opera, reconstructed in its neo-Renaissance style which was originally completed ...
Luigi Leisner was an Austrian printmaker active in the early to mid-20th century, specifically known for his 'Heimatkunst' style etchings of Viennese architectural landmarks. This piece commemorates the Vienna State Opera, reconstructed in its neo-Renaissance style which was originally completed in 1869. The inclusion of the Fidelio score references Beethoven's only opera, which premiered in Vienna in 1805 and remains deeply linked to the city's cultural identity.

COLLECTOR NOTES

1

The 'Fidelio' musical motif depicted is specifically the quartet from Act I, a piece often used to symbolize Viennese musical heritage.

SCARCITY

Average55-70%
CommonLegendary

Typical antique shop fare. Requires some searching but regularly available. This is where most genuine antiques fall.

Rarity 4/10. Curiosa currently catalogues 18 prints items at rarity 4 or higher.

Typical Characteristics

  • Standard antique shop items
  • Regularly available
  • Moderate collector interest

Confidence Factors

  • Hand-penciled signature and inscription 'Orig Rad' follow standard period professional standards
  • Plate mark indentation is visible along the border, confirming it is an intaglio print rather than a reproduction
  • Style and subject matter are consistent with Leisner's cataloged oeuvre from the early 20th century
How does authenticity detection work?

PRINT SPECIALIST'S TAKE

Museum-Trained Art Historian

Connoisseur

The artist is well-documented within this specific niche of Austrian printmaking, and all visual markers—signature, inscription, and plate mark—align with period originals.

KEY EVIDENCE

  • 1Clear intaglio plate mark visible on all four sides of the image
  • 2Pencil signature 'L Leisner' matches known auction examples from Dorotheum (Vienna)
  • 3German shorthand 'Orig Rad' (Original-Radierung) confirms contemporaneous Austrian origin
  • 4The architectural rendering reflects the pre-WWII facade of the Staatsoper

UNCERTAINTIES

  • •Paper cockling indicates the print has been framed without acid-free materials
  • •Presence of red reflections in the image are artifacts of photography through glass, not on the artwork itself

WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY

  • →Examine the reverse of the frame for original gallery labels or inventory marks
  • →Remove from the current frame to check for acid-free mounting and assess full paper condition
  • →Verify the watermark on the paper by holding it up to a light source

CONDITION & GRADE

Good (G)

Grading breakdown

The etching itself remains Crisp, but the paper support shows significant cockling and signs of mat burn around the edges of the window. No visible foxing or moisture staining is present in the central image area.

Condition

The paper shows evident wave-like distortions (cockling) suggesting it is not currently held under uniform tension or has been exposed to humidity. There is visible toning (yellowing) to the margins consistent with non-archival matting materials commonly used in mid-century framing.

PRINT MARKET VALUATION

$75 - $175

Updated: May 11, 2026

Who buys this

Collectors of Viennese memorabilia, opera enthusiasts, and enthusiasts of early 20th-century European cityscapes.

What increases value

  • •Association with Beethoven's Fidelio increases the cross-category appeal to music collectors
  • •Authentic pencil signature and 'Orig Rad' inscription verify it as a lifetime print

What lowers value

  • •Paper condition (cockling) may require professional flattening and re-matting
  • •High volume of similar city etchings from this period limits maximum price ceiling

What makes top-tier examples

  • •Large margins and lack of mat burn
  • •Pristine white paper without foxing
  • •Earlier proofs with sharper line definition

Grade & condition

Condition grade is primarily determined by paper oxidation (toning) and the severity of mechanical distortions like cockling.

Rarity & demand

AverageModerate demandModerate liquidity
Browse similar prints objects

For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.

FROM THE CABINET OF

SU

susannew
Wonderseeker•4 items

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