Profile Portrait of a Boy

19th century

Oval Portrait of a Young Boy (Johan Gustaf Moll, 1843–1912), attributed to Carl Ferdinand Sohn (1805–1867) An intimate oval portrait of a young boy. Mounted in an oval gilt wood peri...

View of the Ariccia Bridge and the Alban Hills This finely executed plein air landscape depicts the monumental bridge of Ariccia and the town with the surrounding Alban Hills, painted by German landscape artist Joachim Ludwig Heinrich Daniel Bünsow (born 1821 in Kiel, died 1910 in the same city). Executed in oil on paper mounted on cardboard, the work dates from his Italian period between 1853 and 1858. Not signed. Bünsow received his artistic training at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen from 1839 to 1848, studying under Johann Ludwig Lund and Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. In 1844, the Copenhagen Art Association acquired his painting "Tellingstedt in Dithmarschen." Following his studies, he traveled to Dresden, where he became associated with the circle around Johan Christian Dahl. A scholarship from the Copenhagen Academy enabled Bünsow to reside in Rome from 1853 to 1858. During this period, his landscapes evolved from the finely toned, naturalistic style of his early work to more atmospheric and idealized compositions, influenced by Louis Gurlitt. Bünsow's early works from his time in Copenhagen are characterized by fine tonality and naturalistic rendering, reflecting the style of his teacher Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. His Italian landscapes, however, exhibit a more atmospheric and idealized approach, influenced by Louis Gurlitt. Notably, Bünsow produced high-quality drawings during his time in Rome, some of which are preserved in the Kunsthalle zu Kiel. Historical Context: The Ariccia Bridge In the early 19th century, the local authorities sought to improve the Appian Way's safety and accessibility. The solution involved constructing bridges to span the Ariccia valley and adjacent ravines. In 1843, Pope Gregory XVI commissioned a six-arched bridge to address the elevation differences. Following his death in 1846, Pope Pius IX continued the project, entrusting architect Ireneo Aleandri with the design and Giuseppe Bertolini with the execution. Completed in 1854, the bridge stands as a significant 19th-century engineering achievement. Featuring three tiers of elegant neoclassical arches inspired by Roman art, it measures 59 meters in height and 312 meters in length. Travertine columns at both ends commemorate the Roman milestones...

Work on cardboard Golden wooden frame 42 x 34 x 3.5 cm

Pupil of Rembrandt Portrait of a Young Man 17th Century Oil on oak panel Image size: 4 1/4 x 5 inches (11 x 13 cm) Dutch ebonised frame This small portrait is of a young man, staring inquisitively out towards the viewer. The realism of his appearance is striking, with great care taken in the depiction of the man’s features - for example, his full lips and the slight bump in the bridge of his nose. The man wears a rich burgundy doublet and a black cap and is adorned with gold accessories, indicating a degree of wealth - it is likely that this is a miniature portrait for a wealthy patron. The warm flesh tones of this painting and the intricate rendering of the man’s curly brown hair demonstrate the artistry of the painter, who has successfully captured the image of youth within his brushstrokes. Rembrandt’s Pupils Upon completing his artistic education, Rembrandt opened a studio and began to take students - the first of which were Gerrit Dou and Isaac Jouderville. The studio functioned as an art school, in which materials and guidance were provided - contrary to the studios of his peers, Rembrandt did not offer lodging to his pupils. The families of prospective pupils had to pay Rembrandt 100 guilders (enough for a house at the time) for this artistic education, and the profits from any works produced by pupils under Rembrandt would be paid to the master rather than kept by the student-artist - this contributed substantially to  the master’s income.When taking on pupils, Rembrandt looked for those who could already paint, and guided their styles to reflect his. By choosing pupils who were somewhat experienced artists, Rembrandt had an array of painters that could be involved at any stage of assisting with the creation of his works - in this way, Rembrandt’s pupils often functioned as studio assistants as well. In order to perfect Rembrandt’s style, pupils would paint copies of their teacher’s works, sometimes adding their own distinct variations. They would use the same subjects and models as Rembrandt himself, and would accompany him on outdoor trips to paint nature and landscapes. The extensive copying and utilisation of same source materials has rendered Rembrandt’s work and the work of his pupils difficult to differentiate, even in the modern era.At least 50 pupils were taught by Rembrandt, with many continuing on to become his studio assistants. A few graduated into successful artists in their own right - for example, Govaert Flinck...