Rare symbolistic scene with nacked forest nymphs dancing over a bog in the erring light. The author of this painting was renowed Austrian genre painter Moritz Stifter (1857-1905 Mauer-Oehling, Lower Austria).The original artist`s title of this painting (incribed on the backside) is "Irrlichter" (in English "Erring lights"). The name "erring lights" came from folk superstitions and folk tales and refers to the ghostly lights sometimes seen at night or twilight — often over bogs. It is a mysterious light associated with spirits, found in various folklore tales (Ireland, Scotland, England,Wales and especially by Slavic folk culture) and looks like a flickering lamp, and is sometimes said to recede if approached. Much folklore surrounds the legend, but science has offered several potential explanations. Full info about erring lights read in the Wikipedia under link: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrlicht

Moritz Stifter was at first an officer and then for some years a student of Piloty at the Fine Arts Academy of Munich. From 1899 onwards he lived and worked in Haag near Neulengbach, Lower Austria. His oriental, genre and nude paintings were very popular among collectors in the time of "belle epoque" and some of them arrived high estimates at international art auction market. For exemple, his "The Rhamazan bride", 57,8 x 36,2 cm brought 55 000 USD in the auction by Christie´s New York on 24.10.2007 [Lot 32]; his painting " In The Harem",33 x 40,7 cm - 20000 USD by Sotheby´s New York on 28.02.1990 [Lot 31] .

Literature: H.Fuchs "Lexicon of austrian artists of 19th century", Vienna, 1975; Thieme/Becker"General Artist Dictionary", Leipzig, 1999

Inscription: signed lower right, on the frame lower- old bronze plaque with the name of artist and original title, on the back of panel - original artist`s title in German "Irrlichter".

Technique: oil on wood. Luxuriousy original period gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 12 3/4" x h 15 3/4" (47,5 x 31,5 cm), framed w 23 1/4" x h 26 1/3" (76 x 61 cm)

Condition: in very good condition