MUNICH.- Quacking ducks, fighting fauns, a meditating monk and an old needlewoman, as well as a mysterious sphinx are among the motifs of the exciting works offered in the auction of 19th Century Art at Ketterer Kunst in Munich on 25 November.

The range of high-quality offerings is led by the oil painting “Ödipus löst das Rätsel der Sphinx“ by Franz von Stuck. The artist, who was fascinated by antiquity, illustrates the legend's turning point in his large-size work, the moment when Oedipus phrases the solution. The sphinx' wide open eyes show her horror about her nemesis right before she casts herself into the abyss. The work from 1891 already adorned the “Villa Shatterhand“ of the famous author Karl May and will now be called up with an estimate of € 180,000-240,000. For those lovers of Franz von Stuck who don't want to dig that deep in their pockets, the color relief “Kämpfende Faune“, with an estimate of € 18,000-24,000, is an affordable alternative.

Next to Antonio Joli's oil painting “Der Golf von Baia mit dem Venustempel und der Festung des Don Pedro de Toledo“ (estimate: € 140,000-180,000), which is one of the best variants to which the artist was inspired by the surroundings of Naples, Leo Putz is represented with the oil painting ”Tanzende Negerinnen“ from 1904, which is an expression of his lust for life and his fancy for exotic subjects. The estimate for the two ladies in peacock's feathers is at € 25,000-35,000.

A panorama view by Adolf Heinrich Lier carries the same estimate. The artist found inspiration for the oil painting ”Am Strand von Scheveningen“ from 1873 on a journey through Holland.

While Fritz von Uhde rendered a wonderful image of a peaceful old age in his oil painting ”Die alte Näherin“ from 1891, Carl Blechen's atmospheric work “Mönch auf der Terrasse“ is particulaly captivating. With dimensions of 11.7 x 15.8 cm (4.6 x 6.2 in), the small oil painting delivers outstanding proof of the artist's mastery. Both works have been estimated at € 20,000-30,000 each.

Karl Schuch is represented with the work ”Landschaft bei Bernried am Starnberger See“ (estimate: € 15,000-20,000), made in the early 1870s, just around the same time he met Karl Hagemeister with whom he went on several journeys. The latter contributes the beautiful oil painting ”Wasserrosen“ (estimate: € 9,000-12,000) to this auction.

The range of works on offer is completed by, among others, several paintings of duck scenes, virtuously staged in late-Impressionist manner by Alexander Koester (with estimates of up to € 24,000), two works by Wilhelm Trübner, a distinguished album with several pasted drawings by Friedrich Preller the Elder and several drawings by Ludwig von Hofmann, originating from the estate of both artists, as well as by works from Paul Baum, Otto Dill, Max Klinger, Peder Mørk Mønsted and Carl Spitzweg.