Josef Lauer (1818–1881)

Circle of Josef Lauer Vienna, 1818–1881 “Still life with grapes, peaches and an historic-patterened tankard” Austrian School, mid-19th century, circa 1850–1870 Oil on canvas Measurements: 77.5 x 65 cm in frame Canvas: 58.5 x 46.2 cm Description Elegant still life in Viennese Biedermeier taste, built around a precious historized tankard that forms the vertical fulcrum of the composition. The vessel, adorned with a figurative relief scene and completed by gilded mounts and a small sculptural element on the lid, is flanked by a second ceramic vase partially hidden by vegetation. On the plane are arranged with studied naturalness clusters of white and red grapes, peaches, a plum and a cut fruit, accompanied by tendrils, grape leaves and lush vegetation occupying the second plane. Particularly refined is the rendering of the light-colored grapes, created through delicate green-blue variations and highlights that suggest the transparency of the berries. The peaches have a soft, velvety surface, while the central tankard introduces into the composition a contrast between the organic matter of the fruits and the preciousness of the art object. The composition is organized according to a typically 19th-century balance: the large central vessel constitutes the axis of the scene, while fruits and foliage extend laterally forming a pyramidal structure. The dark, essentially neutral background accentuates the plastic relief of the foreground elements. Historical-artistic framing In terms of approach, repertoire and naturalistic sensibility, the painting can be placed within Viennese still life painting of the mid-19th century, with significant connections to Josef Lauer’s output. Lauer was one of the leading interpreters of floral and fruit still life in the Austrian Biedermeier milieu; his training took place at the Vienna Academy and his production was almost exclusively devoted to flowers and fruits. A particularly useful comparison is Still Life with Fruit and Ceramic Tankard by Lauer, oil on canvas 73 x 81 cm, documented by Dorotheum: here too the ceramic vessel is associated with the fruit and plays an important role in the construction of the composition. The Wien Museum also preserves a Still Life with Fruit and Flowers signed “Jos. Lauer 1856”, oil on canvas, which constitutes a secure chronological reference for his mid-century production. In the painting under examination, affinities are recognized mainly in the botanical precision, the compact arrangement of the fruits, the luminous rendering of the berries and the relationship between nature and decorative objects. The chronology corresponds to the height of the Viennese school of still life to which Lauer belonged. One of his Still Life with Ripe Fruits is dated about 1870, while other documented compositions belong to the 1840s and 1850s. Note on the verso The verso is interesting. The canvas appears mounted on an expanding wooden stretcher with wedges and bears stamps and owner/commercial inscriptions now partly worn. Frame The work is set within a significant ebony-toned wooden frame, partially gilded, characterized by a sequence of bevels sloping toward the painting. The inner edge is embellished with a continuous gilded frieze with vegetal motifs, while thin gilded profiles define the dark outer structure. The alternation between black and gold is particularly coherent with the character of still life and enhances its luminosity. The frame shows normal signs of service, light abrasions, small losses and gilding wear. Condition Report Overall conservation state: good, in keeping with the period. The painting appears in overall satisfactory conservational condition and maintains good legibility of the composition and color values. The canvas support is evenly tensioned on an expanding wooden stretcher with wedges. On the verso there are traces and marks attributable to the conservation history of the work, as well as stamps and partially legible inscriptions. *** Photographic note The images of the work were taken with the aid of professional studio lighting and spotlights to allow better readability of the composition, details and painterly material. This lighting may cause slight variations in color perception and brightness compared with direct viewing of the work. The photographs are for illustrative and documentary purposes only. The frame is provided free of charge with the work and should be considered an accessory element, not included in the monetary valuation of the painting. Due to the natural fragility of antique gilded frames, any damage, flaking, breakage or losses of parts of the frame occurring during transport or shipping cannot be subject to reimbursement, indemnification or dispute regarding the work’s value. The packaging will, however, be prepared with the utmost care to ensure, as far as possible, a safe transport. Insured shipping Attribution Expertise Evaluation *** For historical-interest reasons, the work cannot be shipped outside the European Community / insured shipment in a wooden crate

Estimate:$2,240.88

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