painting - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2008 - 65 Euro Cent

"The first Christmas tree in Ried stood in the house of Rapolter at Hauptplatz No. 28. The former Perdiller trading house had become the property of the Stockhamer family through marriage budding tradesman Josef Anton Rapolter The George family came from the French Huguenot family and was originally based in Constance on Lake Constance, and from there and across Alsace, where decorated Christmas trees can already be found at the beginning of the 17th century, the knowledge of this custom seems to have come On the first Christmas tree in Ried the following is handed down: In the pre-Christmas season, Father Rapolter said to his children one day, 'This year not the golden Heinssl will come to you, this year the Christ child will come!' The children eagerly awaited Christmas Eve As usual, the father prayed three rosaries and read the story of the birth of Christ. Then moments of anxiety came for the children. A simple silver bells gave the signal, and there he stood before the children - the first Christmas tree in Ried! It was a small fir tree with lots of little lights, with red apples and golden nuts, some baked goods and a few tiny little toys. As a reminder, the father had a painter make a picture on which the Rapolter family gathered around the Christmas tree. The gift table of this wealthy family seems modest for today's terms. A plate with fruit, nuts, Kletzenbrot and Lebzelten, a book, a horse and a small priest's robe are on the table. The latter is probably intended to indicate that one of the boys was intended for the spiritual status. Also music was performed in the house Rapolter. The modest Christmas tree is patriotically decorated with flags in the Upper Austrian red and white and the imperial Austrian black and gold. The banners bear the inscription "God with us" and "48. Birthday party ". Josef Anton Rapolter was born on December 24, 1799! As a provisional municipal executive and member of parliament, he was a significant figure. His efforts are also thanks to the elevation of Ried to the city in 1857. The painter Felix Ignaz Pollinger, originally from Munich and later active in Vienna, created a convincing portrayal of a Biedermeier family idyll and a work of cultural and historical importance with the painting "The First Christmas Tree in Ried". "- Sieglinde Baumgartner