High quality portrait of a boy in the candle light was executed in the early 19th century and although unsigned (there is an backside old inscription on the stretcher with name of the artist -see photo), is very similar and have all stilistic criteria for attribution to famous Austrian portrait painter Friedrich von Amerling (1803-1887) . It´s known from the most important monography about F.von Amerling ( G.Probszt " F.von Amerling.Werkverzeichnis", Vienna, 1927), many of artist´s works were not signed . Also in the same monography by Probszt we found another painting of a child with similar subject: "Portrait of Duda en face in the light"(pag 134, cat.No.644). We continued to research all famous portraits by F.Amerling and found that the young boy on our portrait is very similar to famous "Portrait of Andreas Amerling " by Friedrich Amerling and depicting his younger brother Andreas as 8-years old boy ( Sabine Grabner "Friedrich Amerling", exhibiton cataloque in the Austrian National Gallery Belvedere, page 103, Edition Seemann, 2003). For comparison see additional photos : "Portrait of brother Andreas Amerling"; "Portrait of younger brother Josef Amerling" and "Portrait of artist's son Friedrich Amerling" .
Friedrich von Amerling (1803 Vienna - 1887 ibid.) was one of most important painters in Austria in the Biedermeier Epoch. In 1816-1823 Amerling studied at the Vienna Academy. In mid 1820s he travelled to London intending to get acquainted with Thomas Lawrence, who was considered the greatest portrait painter of the time. Lawrence allowed the young artist to visit his studio and to continue his education after the master´s accomplished works. 11 months later F.von Amerling moved to Paris, where he was friendly received by Horace Vernet. After his return to Vienna he soon became one of the most popular portraitists of the Austrian high society. He worked in Italy in 1831 and 1841-44. Around 1000 portraits created by the artist are known to exist; many of them are now missing. Works of F.von Amerling are displayed in the greatest museums worldwide.
Literature: Prof. H.Fuchs "Die Österreichische Maler des 19 und 20 Jahrhunderts", Vienna, 1975 ; G.Probszt " Friedrich von Amerling. Werkverzeichnis", Vienna, 1927; Sabine Grabner " Friedrich von Amerling", cataloque of the exhibition in Vienna, Belvedere, 2003.
Inscription: unsigned, on the reverse on stretcher - old inscription with name of the painter(see photo).
Technique: oil on canvas. Original period gold-plated frame.
Measurements: unframed 14 1/2" x 17 3/4" (37 x 45 cm), framed 24 1/4" x 27 1/2" (61,5 x 70 cm)
Condition: quite good, canvas professional relined. |