Mahler, Gustav. (1860–1911) THE EARLIEST KNOWN PHOTOGRAPH OF THE COMPOSER

Mahler, Gustav. (1860–1911)

THE EARLIEST KNOWN PHOTOGRAPH OF THE COMPOSER

An extremely rare early childhood CDV photograph of the great composer at age 3, shown wearing a checked coat and matching hat and riding a wheeled horse toy. A note on the verso in a contemporary hand reads: "Gustav Mahler—Iglau 1863." 6 x 10.2 cm. Scattered ink speckles, central and diagonal creases, including small losses along left edge and to one location within the image. The present photograph predates by two years the first image of the composer recorded in Roller "Die Bildnisse von Gustav Mahler" and is thus believed to be the earliest known photograph of Mahler.

Mahler was the first surviving child of Bernhard Mahler and his wife Marie, who from humble origins built up a successful distillery and tavern business in the Moravian town of Iglau, where they lived from 1860, shortly after Gustav's birth. In the late nineteenth century, Iglau was a thriving commercial town of 20,000, where Mahler's musical sensibilities were undoubtedly shaped by the street songs, dance tunes, and military band music he heard on the streets. Mahler showed a musical aptitude from an early age and began to perform on the piano in Iglau, becoming known as a local Wunderkind. After moving to Vienna to study and work, he never returned to his hometown, but nevertheless retained his official ties to it. His parents died in 1889 and are buried in Iglau's Jewish cemetery. (15677)

Unsigned Photograph Classical Music