Österreichische Zeitschrift für VolkskundeAlbums Gaul Löwy National-Trachten

Franz Gaul and Josef Löwy – The Collectible Picture Series "Austro-Hungarian National-Costumes" (1881–1890)

The collectible picture series Austro-Hungarian National-Costumes (1881–1890) consists of 72 illustrations depicting regional costumes from various areas of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. It was produced by Franz Gaul (1837–1906), a historical painter and costume expert, and photographer Josef Löwy (1834–1902). The series was published in various formats, including leather-bound portfolios and individual images in the rarely used Carte de Boudoir format. It was aimed at the wealthier circles of society, with a single image costing the equivalent of approximately 25 euros in today’s purchasing power.

With its focus on Alpine regions, particularly Tyrol and South Tyrol (now part of Italy), the series soon became a source of inspiration for the bourgeois costume movement. The Volkskundemuseum Wien (Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art) houses 145 images related to the series, including duplicates and drafts, providing valuable insights into production processes. These holdings not only enable comparative analyses but also inspire new research questions.