PROPERTY FROM A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE COLLECTION *SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE*
FRIEDRICH VON AMERLING (AUSTRIAN, 1803-1887)
Scholar in his study
Important information about this lot
Price Realised GBP 21,250
Estimate
GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000
Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
Friedrich von Amerling is considered one of the foremost artists of the Biedermeier period.
The artist is best known as a portrait painter through his work at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna, between 1835 and 1880.
Amerling studied at the Academy of Arts in Vienna between 1815 and 1824 and then travelled to Prague where he studied at the Academy until 1826. He spent 1827 and 1828 in London, where he was influenced by the portrait painter Sir Thomas Lawrence. Further journeys led him to Paris, where he studied with Horace Vernet, and Rome to quote but a few; he then returned to Vienna, where after 1828 he worked mainly for the Austrian court and the aristocracy. In 1829 he was awarded the Reichel prize of the Academy in Vienna.
In the present work, a scholar is depicted reading at candlelit seated in his studio. Amerling captures the quiet space and atmosphere by employing eloquent contrasts of colour and chiaroscuro. We are grateful to Dr. Sabine Grabner of the Österreichische Galerie, Belvedere, for confirming the authenticity of this work, which will be included in her forthcoming Friedrich von Amerling catalogue raisonné. *SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE*
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Condition report
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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
oil on canvas. The canvas has not been lined. There are 9 visible patches to the reverse to repairs, the largest being approximately 43 x 9 cm, the smallest being approximately 4 x 4 cm. The paint layer appears to be secure and stable. The painted surface has a covering of surface dirt and light varnish discolouration. There are patterns of ageing and drying craquelures visible. There is a small scuff in the upper left quadrant by the scholars arm in the background. There are horizontal lines visible relating to the central stretcher bar. Examination under UV light shows scattered spots of retouching including to the aforementioned repairs, to frame abrasions at the edges, to the aforementioned patterns of craquelure and cosmetic retouches. The varnish layer flouresces green making it difficult to ascertain the extent of the retouching. The painting is presented in a wooden period style frame with gilt innersection. There are frame abrasions to the extremeties. *SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE*
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Lot 32Sale 18879
Scholar in his studyFRIEDRICH VON AMERLING (AUSTRIAN, 1803-1887)Estimate: GBP 30,000 - 50,000
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