Monumental Romanticism work with popular biblical subject was executed in 1830s in the typical manner of Berlin romanticists around Wilhelm Schadow. The painting has old label of one of the previous owners with the memory inscription in German (see add.photo). Due to the similar style, time of creation and this motive, as well as owner's inscription, our work has all cryteria to be attributed to the hand of famous German historical painter Chrisitan Köhler (1809 - 18861).It is also important for the attribution is the fact that in the important monography "List of paintings of 19th century" by Fr. von Boetticher we found the painting , which with large prohability can be our work. Here is the text from Boetticher: " No. 3. Rebecca by the Well. 1832 finished. ..... Berlin academical art exhibition 1832; Cologne 2nd general historical art exhibition, 1861".

Christian Köhler was pupil of Wilhelm Shadow in Berlin Academy, with the teacher he travelled to Duesseldorf in 1826, where he became under his teacher the best painter of Old Testament, especially trained as performer of Biblical women. In 1852 he recieved title of professor, in 1855 - 1858 - as follower of Karl Ferdinand Sohn at the academy in Duesseldorf. Works by Chr. Köhler situated in the noble collections in Germany and USA (our painting was purchased from US estate). Also we purchased another monumental painting by the same author from the Royal Estate in castle Marienburg by Hanover (Century auction by Sothebys october 2005).

Provenance: private estate in USA.

Literature : Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon", Leiptig, 1999; Friedrich von Boetticher "Malerwerke des 19. Jahrhunderts", p. 724, under No.3, Leipzig, 1892.

Inscription: unsigned, on the reverse of stretcher - old label of the owner with the memory inscription in German (see add.photo).

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

Measurements: unframed w 32 1/4" x 43 3/4" (82 x111 cm); framed 45 1/4" x 56 3/4" (115 x 144 cm)

Condition: in good condition, no paintlosses, original canvas.