Painters and related Craftsmen listed in the Prague New Town Census of 1770/1771 Cover Image

Představitelé malířské profese v soupisu obyvatelstva Nového Města pražského z roku 1770/1771
Painters and related Craftsmen listed in the Prague New Town Census of 1770/1771

Author(s): Radka Heisslerová
Subject(s): Local History / Microhistory, Military history, Military policy, 18th Century, History of Art
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Ústav pro českou literaturu
Keywords: painters; guild; Prague New Town; census; 18th century; urban houses; urban population;

Summary/Abstract: By a patent of 10 March 1770, Empress Maria Teresa ordered a register and census to be carried out in Bohemia, Lower Austria and the Habsburg Erblande of all persons, draft animals and houses with the aim of reorganizing military sectors and determining the defensive capability of the population. Conscription was carried out door-to-door by senior army officers in conjunction with regional commissars, or in the case of Prague with councillors from the various municipalities. In Prague New Town, the recruitment commission began work on 1 October 1770 and finished on 19 February 1771. This study is devoted to members of the painting profession – painters and their assistants (varnishers and gilders) – whose names are to be found in these records. Painters were to some extent a special case since, unlike most other artisans, they were legally permitted to carry out their trade in various different ways. The study thus looks not only at the circumstances, origin and age of individual artists, but also aims to describe the different ways in which they could conduct their profession. Examining the conscription records, it also becomes clear what a rich source they represent, providing invaluable insights into the population of Prague in the latter half of the 18th century.

  • Issue Year: 11/2021
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 41-61
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Czech
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