An der Donauregulierung 1872

Tina Blau painted ‘An der Donauregulierung’ with oil on canvas, capturing a scene of the Danube River regulation, a significant engineering project in late 19th-century Austria. In this period, Vienna was rapidly modernizing, and the regulation of the Danube was central to this process, aiming to control flooding and create new land for development. Blau's choice to depict this scene reflects a broader interest among artists in documenting the changing landscape and the impact of industrialization on rural life. The painting presents a view of laborers and horse-drawn carts amidst the construction, highlighting the human effort behind this massive undertaking. The muted palette and loose brushstrokes evoke a sense of realism, drawing attention to the social conditions of the working class involved in the project. To fully understand Blau's work, we can consult archival documents and engineering reports from the period, alongside studies of Viennese social history. This provides a rich context for interpreting the painting as a commentary on progress, labor, and the transformation of the natural world.