Lot 35

Description

Oil on canvas, face-mounted on wood. Signed at the bottom left. In an idealised landscape of forests and hills, a group of three figures can be seen in the foreground: on the left, a winged Genius in antique-style robes with a loosely draped red cloak turns towards the child, appearing to lead him with gestures; on the right, a female figure holding the child. A monumental grove of trees in the foreground virtually dominates the entire pictorial space while the landscape in the background opens up on a small scale to reveal an atmospheric, graduated view onto gently rolling hills and woods. The colour scheme features muted tones of green, brown and ochre. The composition and portrayal of the figures are in keeping with the oeuvre of Jacob Wilhelm Mechau. In a gilt, neoclassical moulded frame with ornamental inner border. Age-related, largely uniform craquelure, the aging varnish causing uneven lustre in places; some areas of the trees have clearly been reworked some time ago. Minor losses and spalling along the edges. Size of the painting 101 x 87.6 cm, size of the frame 115.2 x 100 cm. The painting probably dates from the second half of the 18th century, circa 1770–1800. Jacob Wilhelm Mechau studied the arts in Leipzig, Berlin and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden. In 1776 and 1790, he spent several years in Italy on two study trips, which influenced his preference for landscape painting.

Condition: II - III Questions about the lot?