MUNICH.- Carl Spitzwegs small panorama truly is an atmospheric masterpiece. The oil painting Blick ins Tal (Zwei Mädchen auf einer Alpe) is one of the highlights in the auction of 19th Century Art. The auction on November 22 in Munich will open the second auction term of the anniversary year that celebrates the 65th birthday of
Ketterer Kunst.
Carl Spitzwegs extraordinary characters are world-famous. They illustrate his pictorial narrations of fateful situations in the lives of common people, depict emotional states at both odd and tragic moments or capture, as it is the case in this work offered here, timeless views of romantic landscapes. The two girls on the mountain peak and the cat as their faithful companion admire the spectacular view and witness a magical moment estimated at 50,000-70,000.
Intensive landscape studies are also at the core of the artistic endeavors of Wilhelm Kuhnert who earned his international acclaim through his animal motifs. He is the first animal painter to abandon working in the studio in order to gather impressions in nature, among others in Egypt, East Africa and India. Lions in the steppe are not only his favorite motif, they also became his trademark. The oil painting Löwen am Urwaldbach is a remarkable example of his mastery. The majestic view with an estimate of 80,000-120,000 leads the range of offers in this auction.
An estimate price of 60,000-80,000 has been tagged to Max Liebermanns oil study in impressionist duct from 1887, an important preliminary work for the monumental painting Die Netzflickerinnen, today in possession of the Kunsthalle in Hamburg. Additionally, the work Schreitender Bauer, a rediscovery of a work believed to have gone lost decades ago, is a likewise remarkable accomplishment by Liebermann. Made in 1894 and formerly part of the renowned collection of Max Böhm in Berlin, it is a fully executed oil study for the destroyed monumental painting of the same name that used to be in possession of the Museum Königsberg. It is going to enter the race with an estimate of 50,000-70,000.
Edward Theodore Comptons impressive painting Über dem Nebelmeer (Monte Rosa vom Rimpfischhorn) was on display at the important annual exhibition at the Königliche Glaspalast in Munich in 1914. With great mastery the artist captures the first shafts of sunlight at the break of dawn and bathes the mountain massif in a light so special that the observer virtually feels the freezing cold wind at the mountain peak. Lucky those who can indulge in the winter painting that has been estimated at 30,000-50,000 from the comfort of their cozy living room. The same can be said about the other two of his works in the auction: The painting Morgen auf Bergeshöhe (estimate: 15,000-20,000) and the watercolor Pragser Wildsee (estimate: 4,000-6,000).
Apart from two bronzes and a plaster relief, Franz von Stuck will captivate art lovers with the painting Meine Tochter Mary im Velázquez-Kostüm. It was made at the height of his career when he was showered with honors. He proudly presents his almost grown-up and only biological daughter in a depiction that comes in the original octagonal frame and with an estimate of 30,000-40,000.
Ludwig von Hofmanns oil painting Die Zauberinsel, estimated at 25,000-35,000, was made as early as around 1915/1920, however, it addresses a theme that could hardly be more topical: It expresses the artists key issue, the coexistence of man and nature in such a fabulous way that Hofmanns quests for harmony and the ideal of unity become virtually tangible.
Apart from three works by Alexander Koester (with estimates of up to 35,000) and just as many oil paintings by Eduard von Grützner, among them a Vorstadtkneipe from 1898 estimated at 20,000-30,000, the wide array of offerings is completed by masterpieces from, among others, Josef von Brandt, Otto Dill, Eduard Grützner, Karl Hagemeister, Carl Ludwig Jessen, Wilhelm von Kobell, Franz von Lenbach, Otto Modersohn, Edvard Munch, Otto Pippel, and Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski.