Carl Spitzweg - Katzenkonzert

auction 390, Lot 629

Gemälde und Graphiken 15. – 20. Jh.

on 3 December 2020

Carl Spitzweg

Katzenkonzert

estimate:
€ 20.000 to € 25.000

Differenzbesteuerung    

result:
€ 20.320 (incl. 27 % buyer's premium)

description:

Carl Spitzweg

1808 Munich - 1885 ibid.

attributed

 

Cat concert

 

 

Inscribed with S in the rhombus lower right. Adhesive label of Moderne Galerie, Heinrich Thannhauser, Munich, numbered 4430 and handwritten number 38 verso. Oil on canvas on firm cardboard. 24 x 20.5 cm. Restored. Minor damage. Damage to frame.

 

The nocturnal hustle and bustle of the cats on the roofs has torn the inhabitants from their sleep, standing threateningly at the windows.

 

The painting, known since 1916 at the latest (see below), finds a thematic counterpart in another well-known and several times repeated depiction in the artists work: Wo brennts (Catalogue Raisonné Wichmann, no. 449-452): The caricaturing depiction of the protagonists shows the common creator, known for his subtle humour and sharply observing his environment. This painting is a snapshot of a spontaneous idea, captured on the canvas with a quick brush.

 

Literature: Moderne Galerie, Heinrich Thannhauser, München, Nachtragswerk I zur großen Katalogausgabe 1916, p. 34: Illustration of the Katzenkonzert. - According to information from Roennefahrt (see below): Moderne Galerie, Heinrich Thannhauser, München, Katalogausgabe September 1916, cat. no. 38 (ill. p. 9). - Moderne Galerie, Heinrich Thannhauser, Berlin, Ausstellung zur Eröffnung des neuen Hauses, June 1927, cat. no. 322. - Roennefahrt, Günther, Carl Spitzweg. Beschreibendes Verzeichnis seiner Gemälde, Ölstudien und Aquarelle [catalogue raisonné]. Munich 1960, p. 228, no. 864 (ill.).

 

The painting will not be included in the catalogue raisonné, which is in preparation, by Detlef Rosenberger.

 

Provenance: Moderne Galerie, Heinrich Thannhauser, Munich (until 1931). - Private owner, South Germany.