Josef Lauer (1818–1881)

Still Life by Josef Lauer Vienna, 1818–1881 “Still Life with Grapes, Peaches and Historiated Tankard” Austrian School, mid-19th century, about 1850–1870 Oil on canvas Dimensions: 77.5 x 65 cm in frame Canvas: 58.5 x 46.2 cm Description Elegant still life in Viennese Biedermeier taste, built around a precious historiated tankard that forms the vertical focal point of the composition. The vessel, adorned with a figurative relief scene and completed by a gilded mount and a small sculptural element on the lid, is flanked by a second ceramic vessel partially concealed by vegetation. On the foreground are arranged with studied naturalness clusters of white and red grapes, peaches, a plum and a halved fruit, accompanied by tendrils, grape leaves and lush vegetation occupying the second plane. Particularly refined is the rendering of the pale grapes, built through delicate greenish-blue variations and highlights suggesting the transparency of the berries. The peaches present a soft, velvety surface, while the central tankard introduces in the composition the contrast between the organic matter of the fruits and the preciousness of the art object. The composition is organized according to a typically nineteenth-century balance: the large central vessel forms the axis of the scene, while fruit and foliage develop laterally, creating a pyramidal structure. The brown, essentially neutral background emphasizes the sculptural relief of the foreground elements. Historical-artistic framing In terms of approach, repertoire and naturalistic sensibility, the painting can be placed within Viennese still-life painting of the mid-19th century, with significant connections to Josef Lauer’s production. Lauer was one of the leading interpreters of floral and fruit still life in the Austrian Biedermeier milieu; he studied at the Academy of Vienna and his production was almost entirely devoted to flowers and fruits. A particularly useful comparison is Still Life with Fruit and a Ceramic Tankard by Lauer, oil on canvas, 73 x 81 cm, documented by Dorotheum: here too the ceramic vessel is associated with the fruit and plays an important role in the construction of the composition. The Wien Museum also holds Still Life with Fruit and Flowers signed “Jos. Lauer 1856,” oil on canvas, which provides a secure chronological reference for his mid-century output. In the painting under examination, affinities are recognized especially in botanical precision, in the compact arrangement of the fruit, in the luminous rendering of the berries and in the relationship between nature and decorative objects. The chronology coincides with the full maturity of the Viennese still-life school to which Lauer belonged. A Still Life with Ripe Fruits is dated to about 1870, while other documented compositions belong to the 1840s and 1850s. Note on the verso The verso is interesting. The canvas appears mounted on an expanding wooden frame with wedges and bears stamps and commercial/ownership inscriptions now partially worn. Frame The work is set within an important ebonized and partially gilded wooden frame, characterized by a sequence of moldings that slope toward the painting. The inner lip is embellished with a continuous gilded frieze of vegetal motifs, while thin gilded profiles delimit the dark outer structure. The alternation between black and gold is especially coherent with the character of still life and enhances its luminosity. The frame shows normal signs of time, with light abrasions, small losses and gilding wear. Condition Report Overall conservation status: good, compatible with the period. The painting presents in generally satisfactory conservation conditions and maintains good legibility of the composition and chromatic values. The canvas support appears properly tensioned on an expanding wooden stretcher with wedges. On the verso are visible traces and marks attributable to the conservation history of the work, as well as stamps and inscriptions partially legible. *** Photographic note The photographs of the work were taken with professional studio lighting and spotlights to allow better readability of the composition, details and painting material. This lighting may cause slight variations in color perception and brightness compared with direct viewing of the work. The photographs are for illustrative and documentary purposes only. The frame is supplied free of charge with the work and should be considered accessory, not included in the painting’s economic valuation. Given the natural fragility of antique and gilded frames, any damages, detachments, breaks or losses of frame parts occurring during transport or shipment cannot be the subject of reimbursement, compensation or dispute regarding the value of the work. The packing will, however, be prepared with the utmost care to ensure, as far as possible, a safe transport. insured shipping Attribution Expertise Evaluation *** For historical reasons the work cannot be shipped outside the European Community / insured shipment in a wooden crate

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