Josef Lauer (1818–1881)

Circle of Josef Lauer Vienna, 1818–1881 “Still Life with Grapes, Peaches and Decorated Tankard” Austrian School, mid-19th century, circa 1850–1870 Oil on canvas Dimensions: 77.5 x 65 cm framed Canvas: 58.5 x 46.2 cm Description An elegant still life in the Viennese Biedermeier taste, arranged around a precious decorated tankard that forms the vertical focal point of the composition. The vessel, adorned with a raised figural scene and finished with gilt mounts and a small sculptural element on the lid, is accompanied by a second ceramic vase, partly concealed by the foliage. The tabletop is arranged with studied naturalness: clusters of white and red grapes, peaches, a plum and a cut fruit, together with vine tendrils, grape leaves and lush vegetation filling the background. The rendering of the pale grapes is particularly refined, created through delicate green-blue variations and highlights that suggest the translucency of the berries. The peaches, by contrast, have a soft, velvety surface, while the central tankard introduces a contrast between the organic matter of the fruit and the preciousness of the work of art. The composition is organized according to a typically 19th-century balance: the large central vessel forms the axis of the scene, while the fruit and foliage extend to either side, creating a pyramidal structure. The substantially neutral, brown background accentuates the sculptural relief of the foreground elements. Historical and Artistic Context In its approach, subject matter and naturalistic sensibility, the painting may be placed within the tradition of Viennese still-life painting of the mid-19th century, with significant affinities to the work of Josef Lauer. Lauer was one of the leading painters of floral and fruit still lifes in the Austrian Biedermeier milieu; he trained at the Vienna Academy and devoted almost his entire output to flowers and fruit. A particularly useful comparison is Lauer’s Still Life with Fruit and Ceramic Tankard, an oil on canvas measuring 73 × 81 cm, documented by Dorotheum: here, too, a ceramic vessel is paired with fruit and plays an important role in the composition. The Wien Museum also holds a Still Life with Fruit and Flowers signed “Jos. Lauer 1856,” an oil on canvas that provides a reliable chronological reference for his work around the middle of the century. The painting under consideration shows affinities above all in its botanical precision, the compact arrangement of the fruit, the luminous rendering of the grapes and the relationship between nature and decorative objects. The date coincides with the full maturity of the Viennese still-life school to which Lauer belonged. One of his Still Life with Ripe Fruits is dated circa 1870, while other documented compositions date from the 1840s and 1850s. Note on the Reverse The reverse is of interest. The canvas appears to be mounted on an expandable wooden stretcher with keys and bears commercial/provenance stamps and inscriptions that are now partly worn away. Frame The work is set in an impressive ebonized and partly gilded wooden frame, characterized by a series of moldings that recede toward the painting. The inner sight edge is embellished with a continuous gilt vegetal frieze, while slender gilt profiles define the dark outer structure. The interplay of black and gold is particularly well suited to the character of the still life and enhances its luminosity. The frame shows normal signs of age, light abrasions, small losses and wear to the gilding. Condition Report Overall condition: good, consistent with its age. The painting is in generally satisfactory condition and retains good legibility of its compositional arrangement and color values. The canvas support appears evenly tensioned on an expandable wooden stretcher with keys. Traces and marks relating to the work’s conservation history, as well as partially legible stamps and inscriptions, are visible on the reverse. *** Photographic Note Photographs of the work were taken using professional studio lighting and spotlights to make the composition, details and painted surface easier to see. This lighting may result in slight variations in the perception of color and luminosity compared with viewing the work in person. The photographs are for illustrative and documentary purposes only. The frame is provided free of charge as a gift with the work and should therefore be considered an accessory, not included in the painting’s valuation. Given the natural fragility of antique and gilded frames, any damage, detachment, breakage or loss of parts of the frame occurring during transport or shipping will not be grounds for a refund, compensation or dispute regarding the value of the work. The work will nevertheless be packed with the utmost care to ensure, as far as possible, safe transport. Insured shipping Attribution Expertise Report *** For reasons of historical interest, the work cannot be shipped outside the European Community / insured shipping in a wooden crate

Stima:2.000€

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