Late 19th Century Art

Erotic Scene is a gouache and China ink original painting on silk, realized probably in the second half of XIX century by an anonymous Japanese artist of XIX century, From a collection of twelve Japanese erotic silk paintings, wrongly titled "Shunga", mounted under a yellow cardboard Passepartout, cm 37 x 26.8, this modern artwork of little dimensions, but of extraordinary quality represents an erotic scene between two young Japanese lovers portrayed in their intimate situation and with their sophisticated traditional costumes and hairstyle. Without ever being vulgar or too explicit but with extreme elegance, our ancient Japanese artwork...

Canvas size: 57 3/4 x 45 1/2 inches A striking and impressive French Academic painting in a high quality Italian style gold leaf frame. Gorguet was an Academic French artist who was trained by Boulanger, Gerome, Bonnat and Morot. His academic training was so strong that he was asked by the Opera House to illustrate many of their posters and he made his living illustrating many books of the time. In the market today this is most of what circulates and comes to light by the artist. He was ultimately made a professor of Drawings at L’Institut. However, Gorguet was also a Symbolist artist and did works aligned with the Art Nouveau movement. Many of these works are quite impressive but rarely have surfaced in the art market. Jupiter and Mercury Received by Philemon and Baucis is more of an Allegorical work and Gorguet switched gears to do a painting which would garner International attention at the important Concourse du Prix de Rome competition. 1891 was a year where the competition would be stiff and he knew he had to do an impressive painting with a compelling historical or allegorical content. In this painting, Gorguet is depicting their Jupiter and Mercury’s arrival at their home and the indication that Philemon and Baucis will share what they have with them despite their poverty-stricken means. The technical execution of this work is exceptional as the figurative work is done masterfully and any small detail within the canvas demonstrates tremendous attention of subtlety of tone and modeling. An example is the strand of cloth that crosses Jupiters chest and the delicate shades of pink and gray and how it is modeled. More than ever, the academic artists of this period are to be appreciated for the quality and creativeness of their work. And the timelessness of these classical allegories are still applicable to our lives today. So we predict a turn back toward work like this as qualitatively we know it will never be done again. Story of Jupiter and Mercury Visiting Philemon and Baucis (one interpretation) According to ancient Roman mythology and Ovid's Metamorphoses (8.631, 8.720.), Philemon and Baucis had lived out their long lives nobly, but in poverty. Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods, had heard of the virtuous couple, but based on all his previous experiences with humans, he had serious doubts as to their goodness. Jupiter was about to destroy mankind but was willing to give it one final chance before starting over again. So, in the company of his son Mercury, the wing-footed messenger god, Jupiter went about, disguised as a worn and weary traveler, from house to house among the neighbors of Philemon and Baucis. As Jupiter feared and expected, the neighbors turned him and Mercury away rudely. Then the two gods went to the last house...

Yokohama, Japan: c 1880. Hand-tinted albumen print, 8 1/8 x 10 1/2 inches (205 x 267 mm), numbered 1625 and captioned "Dancing" in negative at lower right; pencil inscription in Jap...

The painting captures a wonderfully amusing family moment set in the 16th century. In the center of the painting we see the father, exhausted by worries and dozing in his chair in fr...

Medium: etching. Etched by Joseph Benwell Clark after the George Frederick Watts painting. This impression on cream laid paper was printed in sepia ink in 1880 by Francois Lienard an...

A rather beautiful Hudson River landscape oil on canvas painting by the celebrated New York artist Charles Grant Beauregard (1856-1919), signed and dated 1898. The painting depicts c...

A stunningly dramatic and well-rendered oil on canvas painted by French artist Antoine Marie Roucole in 1884. With the ornate antique gilt plaster frame, and with its size, it has t...

Woodland Autumn Path by S. William, British late 19th century signed oil on panel, framed Framed: 18 x 26.5 inches panel: 13 x 21 inches Inscribed verso and with old London gallery l...

Wilhelm Albermann (1835 Werden an der Ruhr - 1913 Cologne), The Blacksmith of Solingen, after 1895. Bronze-color patinated zinc cast on plinth, 47 cm (height) x 20 cm (width) x 16 cm (depth), weight 5.5 kg. Signed “Albermann.” on the plinth and identified as a cast by “AKT.[TIEN] GES.[ELLSCHAFT] GLADENBECK BERLIN”. Dedication on the front: “Mr. Ing. F. Kuhlmann to the wedding. Management and officials of the Hannoversche Waggonfabrik. Aircraft construction department". - The zinc showing through in spots, the patina somewhat stained, the right upper arm under the sleeve retouched in black. - The Double-edged Sword - The figure is a reduction of Wilhelm Albermann's 1895 fountain figure of the armourer of Solingen, who has always been identified with the historical blacksmith Peter Hahn. In 1839, Karl Simrock wrote the poem “The Blacksmith of Solingen" and thus coined the legendary figure. The first and penultimate verses read: A blacksmith spoke to Solingen With every bayonet, That came to his diligence: "Oh, that Fritz had it!" The war took its course, Many battles were fought, Which often made him fearful and anxious In his soul. The blacksmith had given up his trade to fight for Frederick the Great. Not least because of his strength and will to fight, the battles were won. With his fountain sculpture, Albermann has given the legendary blacksmith a figurative form and at the same time created a landmark for the city of Solingen, which was once famous for the art of sword forging and today still stands for the production of high-quality knives. During the bombing raid in November 1944, the fountain was destroyed along with the entire old town of Solingen. Only the head remained. The broad-shouldered blacksmith stands securely behind his anvil, his leather apron tied around him, and has just finished a sword blade with his own "weapon" - the blacksmith's hammer. His entire body shows the strength with which he wields the hammer, but also the strain of this activity, as evidenced by the wide open shirt, the somewhat 'untidy' apron, and especially the furrowed face. However, the blacksmith does not look at the finished work, but resolutely and at the same time thoughtfully into the distance, in line with the quoted verse from Simrock's poem that the battles "often made him fearful and anxious in his soul". There is certainly something melancholy in his gaze, fed by the knowledge of the necessity of forging swords and taking up arms and their deadly use - experiences Albermann had to make during his own war missions. The flowing full beard gives his gaze into the distance an almost prophetic character. In keeping with the craft of the perfectly formed art of blacksmithing, the detailed casting reproduces the respective materials depicted in perfect form: the leather apron convincingly conveys the impression of leather and lies - also in the back view - like a second formed layer over the body, while the shirt and trousers illustrate their own textile qualities. Due to its masterful execution and profound content, the “Blacksmith of Solingen”, which has survived in its cast reproductions, remains Albermann's most famous work to this day. About the artist The son of a carpenter, Wilhelm Albermann began an apprenticeship as a joiner, but then followed his artistic calling and trained as a sculptor in Elberfeld. In 1855, at the age of twenty, he was drafted into the army in Berlin, where he served until 1857. Albermann attended the Berlin Art Academy on the side and began regular studies after his service. While still a student, he completed commissioned works for his teachers August Fischer and Hugo Hagen. His first independent commissions followed, enabling him to establish a flourishing sculpture studio in Cologne in 1865. His artistic activities were repeatedly interrupted by military service, and he took part in the German-Danish War in 1864, the war against Austria in 1866, and the Franco-Prussian War in 1870/71. After his last war service, Albermann, already a respected artist, founded a commercial drawing school at the request of the city government, where he taught the modeling class and served as director until 1896. In 1890 he also worked for the "Society for the Promotion of Sculpture in the Rhineland and Westphalia". Albermann was one of the most prolific sculptors in Cologne in the second half of the 19th century. He created numerous monuments, fountains, tomb sculptures, architectural ornaments, and domestic statues. At its peak, his workshop employed up to thirty sculptors and stonemasons at a time. GERMAN VERSION Wilhelm Albermann (1835 Werden an der Ruhr - 1913 Köln), Der Schmied von Solingen, nach 1895. Bronzefarben patinierter Zinkguss auf gegossener Plinthe, 47 cm (Höhe) x 20 cm (Breite) x 16 cm (Tiefe), Gewicht 5,5 kg. Auf der Plinthe mit „Albermann.“ signiert und als Guss der „AKT.[TIEN] GES.[ELLSCHAFT] GLADENBECK BERLIN“ ausgewiesen. Schauseitige Widmung: „Herrn Ing. F. Kuhlmann zur Vermählung. Direktion und Beamte der Hannoverschen Waggonfabrik. Abt. Flugzeugbau“. - Punktuelles Durchscheinen des Zinks, Patina etwas fleckig, der rechte Oberarm unter dem Ärmel schwarz retuschiert. - Die Zweischneidigkeit des Schwertes - Die Figur ist eine Reduktion von Wilhelm Albermanns 1895 geschaffener Brunnenfigur des Waffenschmieds von Solingen, der seit jeher mit dem historischen Schmied Peter Hahn identifiziert wurde. 1839 hatte Karl Simrock das Gedicht „Der Schmied von Solingen“ verfasst und damit die legendäre Figur geprägt. Die erste und die vorletzte Strophe lauten: Zu Solingen sprach ein Schmied Bei jedem Bajonette, Das seinem Fleiß geriet: »Ach, daß der Fritz es hätte!« Der Krieg ging seinen Gang, Man schlug noch viele Schlachten, Die oft ihm angst und bang' In seiner Seele machten. Der Schmied hatte sein Handwerk ruhen lassen, um selbst für Friedrich den Großen zu kämpfen. Nicht zuletzt durch seine Kraft und seinen Kampfeswillen verliefen die Schlachten siegreich. Dem legendären Schmied verlieht Albermann mit seiner Brunnenskulptur eine bildliche Gestalt und schuf damit zugleich ein Wahrzeichen der Stadt Solingen, die einst für die Kunst des Schwerterschmiedens berühmt war und bis heute für die Herstellung qualitätvoller Messer einsteht. Beim Bombenangriff im November 1944 wurde mit der gesamten Solinger Altstadt auch der Brunnen zerstört. Einzig der Kopf blieb erhalten. Mit sicherem Stand und umgebundener Lederschürze steht der breitschultrige Schmied hinter seinem Amboss und hat gerade mit seiner eigenen ‚Waffe‘ – dem Schmiedehammer – eine Schwertklinge fertiggestellt. Seinem gesamten Körper ist die Kraft abzulesen, mit der er den Hammer führt, aber auch die Anstrengung dieser Tätigkeit, wovon das weit geöffnete Hemd, die etwas ‚unordentlich‘ arrangierte Schürze und vor allem das zerfurchte Gesicht zeugen. Der Schmied schaut aber nicht auf das vollendete Werk, sondern entschlossen und zugleich sinnierend in die Ferne, entsprechend der zitierten Zeile von Simrocks Gedicht, dass die Schlachten „oft ihm angst und bang‘ in seiner Seele machten“. Der Blick hat durchaus etwas Melancholisches, dass sich aus dem Wissen um die Notwendigkeit, Schwerter zu schmieden und zu den Waffen zu greifen und deren tödlichem Einsatz speist – Erfahrungen, die Albermann bei seinen eigenen Kriegseinsätze machen musste. Der wallende Vollbart verleiht dem in die Ferne schauenden Blick einen beinahe prophetischen Charakter. Dem Handwerk der formvollendenden Schmiedekunst entsprechend, gibt der detaillierte Guss die jeweils dargestellten Materialien in vollendeter Ausformung wieder: Die Lederschürze vermittelt überzeugend den Eindruck des Leders und liegt – auch in der Rückenansicht – wie eine zweite ausgeformte Schicht über dem Körper, während das Hemd und die Hose...

The 1896 original poster by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec for La Chaîne Simpson L.B. Spoke is a celebrated piece of 19th-century advertising art. Commissioned to promote the Simpson bicy...

As an artist trained in the applied arts, Gustav Klimt valued all forms of art, including the graphic arts. This final design from 1896 for inclusion in Allegorien published by Gerlach & Schenk demonstrates respect for artistic precedent and for a wide range of media and technique. The publication was printed in an unknown number of copies. Klimt’s rendering in latin of the title, “SCVLPTVR.,” with three-dimensional effect on the wall, is a figurative allusion to this medium as well as a literal reference to Ancient Rome. By doing the same with his signature and date in roman numerals on the right hand side of the image, Klimt places himself, The Artist, firmly in this linear and legitimizing context of art history and as its modern standard-bearer. Playing on Classical mythology and the story of Pygmalion, in which a statue comes to life, Klimt presents his modern Venus holding an apple. Klimt’s Venus exhibits a curvilinear softness; there are no angles. Klimt deftly shows the possibilities in a graphic image to give life to dark, wavy hair and tenderness to swelling breasts and belly. To further emphasize the allegory of thriving modern art, he contrasts his Venus with the cold, hard ancient classical head whose eyes are vacuous and whose hair is but a stylized mass of curls. Klimt’s living Venus stands in front of the large bust and large classical pillar upon which is a sculpture of a Sphinx and a Greek Attic bust. As if a gallery to represent sculpture’s “best of” through the ages, the upper horizontal panel includes bust depictions in marble, cast metal and wood...

Elias Erdtman (Sweden, 1863–1945) Moonlit Reflections, Heyst-sur-Mer oil on canvas laid on board signed E. Erdman och daterad -84 unframed: 29 x 18.5 cm (11.4 x 7.3 inches) framed:...

Medium: original lithograph. Published in London in 1896 by The Studio. This delightful composition in sanguine ink on wove paper measures 11 1/8 x 7 1/2 inches (sheet size) -- 283 x 190 mm. Signed by Robert Anning Bell...

"Harvest Scene With Farmer and Scythe, 1886" is a captivating painting by the Swedish artist Alfred Thörne. Created during his travels through Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium bet...

Medium: original etching. Executed by Tissot for the "Rene Mauperin" suite of etchings, published in Paris in 1884 by Charpentier in a limited edition of 550. This is a nice impressi...

Antique panoramic landscape painting. Watercolor and gouache on board, circa 1900. Signed. Image size, 17L x 11H. Housed in a period g...

From Les Maitres de L'Affiche, plate 94. Printed by Imprimerie Chaix, Paris. Maîtres de l'Affiche (Masters of the Poster) refers to 256 color lithographic plates used to create an a...

Pastoral Landscape English School, late 19th century signed oil on board, framed framed: 19 x 25 inches board: 18 x 24 inches Provenance: private collection, UK Condition: the painti...

Ora Coltman (American, 1858-1940) House in Hudson, OH Oil on canvas Signed lower left 22 x 26 inches 27.5 x 31.5 inches, framed 21 Aurora Street is locally known as the Isham-Beebe ...

H.Jackson. 19th century English landscape with sheep English late 19th-century painter of animals either in barns or landscapes. His paintings have the influence of the work of the...

H.Jackson. 19th-century English landscape with sheep resting in a field. English late 19th-century painter of animals either in barns or landscapes. His paintings have the influence...

Adolphus Knell 19th-century English Warship at sea Owning in a 19th-century English fishing boat captured at sea circa 1880 by Adolphus Knell, with the sun rising or setting, offer...

Signed with the initials 'A. M. G.' Presented in a gilt frame with acanthus details and a panel slip. On canvas laid to board.

Very nicely painted 19th century American landscape painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Image size, 12H x 16L. Signed illegibly.

Colour lithograph, 1890. 210mm by 285mm (sheet). From W Peck's 'A Handbook and Atlas of Astronomy', 1890. Sir William Peck FRSE FRAS (1862 – 1925) was a Scottish astronomer and scien...

Double sided crayon drawing: Front: Study for "The Shoe" Reverse: Studies of Figures Blue crayon, red and black crayons Image size: 19.25 x 15.375 inches Frame size: 30 x 25 1/2 inch...

A charming still life study depicting oysters, lobsters and a platter of fruit painted in a Dutch Golden Age style. Unsigned. Presented in a gilt frame. On canvas.

Alfred Arthur BRUNEL DE NEUVILLE A wonderful painting for any situation whether it is as a statement, piece due to the undoubted quality, or as a piece for a kitchen/dining area due...

19th century Impressionist oil painting of two women in a park. Oil on canvas, circa 1900. Signed illegibly lower left. Displayed in giltwood...

A fine and picturesque study of a farmer and his horses in a sun-drenched field, capturing a moment of quiet industry beneath a wide, open sky. The artist's confident brushwork lends...

This delightful painting by the renowned Victorian genre and landscape artist Henry John Yeend King captures the serene charm of the English countryside. Depicting an idyllic riversi...

Maurice REALIER DUMAS (1860-1928) Art Nouveau Woman in a Garden (Corinne), 1897 Original lithograph (Imprimerie Champenois) Signed in the plate On vellum, 40 x 31 cm INFORMATION: L...

A very beautiful late 19th century French impressionist oil on panel depicting a view across the Seine in Paris, by Marie Cazin. Superb quality work work by this important female im...

John White Alexander's graceful depictions of beautiful women earned him critical acclaim both in Europe and America. However, his career did not get off to an easy start—Alexander b...

A Swashbuckling Spectacle in Belle Époque Paris This vibrant 1886 lithographic poster for Le Bossu at the Théâtre de la Gaîté captures the theatrical flair and colorful storytelling...

A beautiful late 19th century English oil on canvas portrait of a white haired terrier wearing a leather collar. Excellent quality and finely detailed head study of the well groomed...

‘Jeune Fille en Blanc’ by Jacques-Émile Blanche (1861-1942). The painting – which depicts one of the artist’s favourite models Wanda Zielinska – is signed and dated 1896. It is lis...

Untitled (also known as "1811 THE BACKWOODSMAN'S CHRISTMAS") Oil on canvas, c. 1875-1925 Unsigned Provenance: Found in Ohio A charming American naive nocturn of a hunter and his two ...

Portrait of a Lady by Theodor Recknagl (1865-1945) German signed oil on board, unframed board : 7.5 x 6 inches Attached provenance documents Provenance: private collection, England C...

Morning Awakening by Alfons MUCHA (1860-1939) "Morning Awakening" from the series "The Times of the Day" Variant 1 Original lithograph Signed "Mucha" and dated "99" for 1899, at t...

Cattle by Stream English artist, late 19th century inscribed on label verso oil on board, framed framed: 14 x 17 inches board: 9.5 x 13 inches provenance: private collection, England...

Anton Ebert (Austrian, 1845-1896), Portrait of a Woman, Oil on Oval Canvas laid on Board, 19th century, signed "A. Ebert / Wien" to mid right, original ova...

Two Terriers by E. S. England (British, active c. 1890-1910) signed & dated 1890 oil on board, framed Framed: 11 x 14 inches Board: 9 x 12 inches Provenance: private collection, Suff...

Beautifully painted sunset on the river with a single figure in a punt and cattle crossing by the American artist, George Riecke. Most likely a New Orlea...

19th Century Old Man & Woman Bronze Sculptures These charming bronze sculptures have a rich patina that only comes with age Each bronze measures 2" square at the base x 5" high No...

The Winding River Valley by George Mulready Freezor (British, 1865-1962) signed oil on canvas, framed framed: 32 x 38 inches canvas: 29 x 33 in...

Canvas Size: approx 26.5 x 18 Framed Size: approx 30 x 22 inches Born into a poor family in Durham, England, John George Brown (1831-1913) earned a reputation as one of 19th-century...

François Charles Cachoud (born in 1866 in Chambéry, Savoy and died in 1943) is a painter known today for his night effects and his chiaroscuro...

Every now and then, even we dealers get fooled. This painting was sold to me as by George Gardner Symons. It bears his signature. At some point, the FBI (yes!) showed up at my door t...

Au bord de la mer (At the Sea Side) Etching and drypoint, 1880 Signed in the plate middle left edge (see photo) Edition: c. 100 A very rich impression, full of burr and contrasts Pri...

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's "Jane Avril, Jardin de Paris" poster, created in 1898, is an emblematic piece of poster art at the time. It is part of the "Maîtres de l'Affiche" collecti...

A superb late 19th century French impressionist oil on board portrait of a man with a pipe. Painted with short and fast brush strokes by a highly competent artist. A striking period...

Blackberry Picking Victorian oil painting by Thomas James Purchas (British 1855-1930) with name plaque to frame oil painting on board, framed within ornate scrolled gilt frame framed...

This atmospheric landscape painting captures a rural countryside scene with a balanced composition of earth and sky. The artist skilfully contrasts the dark, dense foliage and struct...

Etching on laid paper, with full margins, 1894. Based on the inscription in upper left "Ches Seguin a St. Julien", the scene represented is in Armand Sequin's (Gaugiun's friend) B...

This captivating maritime painting, likely the work of an English artist, dates to the late 19th century and showcases a masterful command of light and texture. The composition featu...

This charming Lowry-esque late 19th-century oil painting by Swedish artist Ernst Philip De Fine Licht (1855-1929) depicts the old town hall at Helsingborg, Sweden. De Fine Licht was ...

This superb British 19th century equine oil painting is by noted horse lover, George Gascoyne. Painted in 1889, this French born chestnut horse is Phoenix. While he was essentially a miler, Phoenix (sometimes seen spelled as “Phenix”) came from a family that had produced Classic winners in France at up to 15 furlongs. He proved an excellent sire following his export to Argentina, becoming the foundation stallion for Guillermo Kemmis' breeding program at Haras Las Rosas. This painting is from his time in Argentina with Kemmis. Phoenix is depicted in a flat landscape against a vivid blue sky. A gentleman, possibly his owner, Guillermo Kemmis, stands smiling in front of him holding his reigns and gives perspective to how tall Phoenix is. Although in profile, Phoenix is turning to look at the viewer, his chestnut coat gleaming and his anatomy perfectly portrayed. This is a superb Victorian equine portrait of a noted horse in the 19th century and is a lovely example of Gascoyne's work as a horse lover. Signed with initials and dated GG 1889 lower right. Provenance. Inscribed "Phenix" (Cymbal -- Belle-Etoile) by George Gascoyne, Sittingbourne, Kent to reverse. Condition. Oil on canvas, 36 inches by 28 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in a wooden frame, 44 inches by 36 inches and in good condition. HORSE BIOGRAPHY Phoenix (FR) 1875 – 1893? Chestnut horse. Cymbal (GB) x Belle Etoile (FR), by First Born (FR) Family 25. While he was essentially a miler, Phoenix (sometimes seen spelled as “Phenix”) came from a family that had produced Classic winners in France at up to 15 furlongs. He proved an excellent sire following his export to Argentina, becoming the foundation stallion for Guillermo Kemmis' breeding program at Haras Las Rosas. Race record. Complete record unavailable but as follows: 1878: Won Prix de la Forêt (FR, 1600mT, Longchamp) 1879: Won July Cup (ENG, 6FT, Newmarket July). Won Rous Memorial Stakes (ENG, 8FT, Ascot). Won Bunbury Stakes (ENG, Newmarket). 2nd Rosebery Handicap (ENG, Epsom) 1880: Won Lennox Stakes (ENG, Goodwood) As a stallion: Phoenix was the Argentine champion sire six times, reaching the top in 1887-1890, 1892 and 1895. Notable progeny: Hawk Eye (ARG), Lenape (ARG), Marinera (ARG), Osiris (ARG), San Martín (ARG), Surplice (ARG) Connections: Phoenix was owned by Comte Frédéric de Lagrange. After being exported to Argentina, he stood at Haras Las Rosas, the stud farm of leading Argentine breeder Guillermo Kemmis. His last known foals were born in 1894. Pedigree notes: Phoenix is outcrossed through five generations. Sired by Cymbal, a son of 1861 Derby Stakes winner Kettledrum, he is out of Belle Etoile, whose half sister Garenne (by Gladiator or Ethirion or Freystrop) is the second dam of 1894 Prix Royal-Oak (French St. Leger) winner Gouvernail and the third dam of 1894 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby...

Fine landscape painting, oil on canvas of Snowdonia, Wales by 19th century British artist Thomas Huson, RI, RA. Rushing rapids from a lake, mountain landscape and clouded skies, and...

The Pass of Glencoe by Edwin Longstaffe (British, late 19th century) signed with monogram to the lower corner titled to label verso Oil painting on canvas, framed Framed: 24 x 18 inc...