Photographs that replicate Old Master and Renaissance paintings with a modern twist

In his latest work, Austrian artist Josef Fischnaller's artfully constructed photographs are inspired by the compositional styles of Old Master and Renaissance painters.

Josef Fischnaller, Bacchus, 2009, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 120x90cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Bacchus, 2009, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 120x90cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Evoking traditional still life and portrait painting, he incorporates modern clothes, products and affectations, such as Playmobil models and body piercings, to give them a wry, contemporary twist.

His large-scale, glossy photographs are to go on show for a new exhibition entitled Prächtig – a German word meaning magnificent – at Cadogan Contemporary in London this May.

"His subjects are suffused with all of the sensuous opulence of a Caravaggio and decked out in the trappings of modern absurdity," says the Gallery. "From paperclips and piercings to spaghetti wigs and cardboard flamingoes, his works are both bizarre and beatific."

Influenced by his artist father – Josef Fischnaller, a well-known painter from Linz – Fischnaller discovered his own interest in art at a young age and began an apprenticeship in photography in 1982 which led him to open his first studio in Vienna in 1987.

Following numerous exhibitions in Berlin, Vienna, Miami and New York, he moved to Berlin, where he still lives and works today. Discover more at joseffischnaller.com.

Josef Fischnaller, Lillies & Roses, 2019, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 120x90cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Lillies & Roses, 2019, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 120x90cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Pink Cascade, 2018, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 90x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Pink Cascade, 2018, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 90x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Ricarda, 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 160x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Ricarda, 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 160x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Glücksschwein, 2018, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 120x90cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Glücksschwein, 2018, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 120x90cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Fisch, 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 70x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Fisch, 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 70x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Flowerpeople, 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 160x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Flowerpeople, 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 160x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Bambino Curioso, 2015, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 160x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Bambino Curioso, 2015, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 160x120cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Herbst (Autumn), 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 75x100cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

Josef Fischnaller, Herbst (Autumn), 2013-2016, C-Print, aluminium dibond and acrylic, 75x100cm © the artist, courtesy of Cadogan Contemporary

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