Classical Dutch winter landscape with skaters on the frozen lake and a town on the background. This masterfully romanticist painting was executed by high listed  German painter, illustrator and etcher Theobald Reinhold Freiherr von Oer (1807 – 1885 ). He is notable for his portraits, genre paintings, landscapes and historic paintings. He is associated with the Duesseldorf school of painting.

Theobald von Oer, born at Haus Nottbeck, Stromberg, was the son of a Westphalian district administrator. Even in his childhood von Oer liked to paint and to draw, and was talented. At the age of 12, he fell ill with scarlet fever and lost his hearing as well as parts of his speech. At 19, von Oer started with studies at the Royal Academy of Arts Dresden, he proved himself exceptionally talented and quickly changed to further studies to the Art Academy in Düsseldorf, under the teaching of W. von Schadow. In 1836, he and architect H. Matthäi travelled together through the Netherlands and Belgium, eventually arriving at Paris, visiting various French artists. In 1837 he travelled through Southern France into the Italian cities Rome, Capri, Ischia.  His main emphasis was the art of painting historical scenes, however, he painted various landscapes and portraits. His journey to Italy also had much influence on his style, notably on his landscapes and portraits. After returning to Germany, he returned to Dresden, becoming a professor at the academy of the arts. The Princess Gallitzin with her friends from the year 1864, is one of his best known commissioned works. He died in 1885, in Coswig.

 .Literature: D. Westhoff, Die Italienreise von Theobald Reinhold von Oer: 1837-1839. 2 vol. Frankfurt on Main, Univ. Master´s thesis, 1995; Thieme/Becker "Allgemeines Lexikon der bildenden Künsler..", Leipzig, 1999.

Inscription: signed with monogram lower left

Technique: oil on canvas. Luxuriousy Salon gold-plated frame.

Measurements: unframed w 37 3/4" x h 26 3/4" (96 x 68 cm), framed w 39 1/3" x h 49 1/4" (100 x 125 cm)

Condition: in very good condition, canvas professional relined.