What is the historical significance of 19th-century genre painting?

Genre painting of the 19th century focused on depicting scenes of everyday life, intimate social gatherings, and narrative themes. Artists often portrayed historical re-enactments or contemporary leisure activities with heightened realism and attention to costume detail.

What materials were traditionally used in 19th-century framed paintings?

Paintings from this era were typically executed in oil pigments on stretched linen canvas or wooden panels. Frames were commonly crafted from carved timber or molded gesso applied over wood, finished with hand-applied gold leaf.

How can you identify authentic oil paintings from this period?

Authentic period paintings display natural craquelure across the paint surface, age-appropriate oxidisation on the reverse of the canvas or panel, and genuine wear to the original giltwood frame.

How do you style a classical oil painting in a modern interior?

A classical framed painting can serve as a focal point above a mantelpiece or sideboard in a modern space. Pairing historical artwork with contemporary furnishings creates an engaging aesthetic contrast.

How should an antique oil painting and gilt frame be maintained?

Keep the artwork away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and heat sources. Dust the frame gently with a soft dry brush, avoiding liquid cleaners which can damage gold leaf and oil pigments.

for sale €4,973 $5,398

£4,250

Benton Fine Art

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2012

View Dealers Stock Page

About Us

Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists
Trade Associations

Benton Fine Art is a registered member of LAPADA BADA CINOA

Relevant Links

Rococo Style Gilt Frame

Historical Figure Oil Painting

Id #SA1214663

PDF

SAVE

Historical Genre Oil Painting of a Three Men Playing Cards by Johann Hamza

Name: Historical Genre Oil Painting of a Three Men Playing Cards by Johann Hamza
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1214663
Price: 4250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Benton Fine Art

Description

Johann Hamza

Austrian, (1848-1927)

The Losing Hand

Oil on panel, signed

Image size: 13.75 inches x 10.75 inches

Size including frame: 19.25 inches x 16.25 inches

A well-executed genre painting of three men playing cards by Johann Hamza. In this scene, a group of men in eighteenth-century costume are depicted playing cards at a table by a tavern window. Having lost the hand, one of the men is shown standing over the table to confront another player, dressed in green, who holds a pipe in his hand. Meanwhile, the remaining seated card player attempts to reason with the unhappy man, who, in his anger, has swept the cards and the stakes, together with an ale flask, onto the floor.

Johann Anton Hamza was born on 21 June, 1848 in Kirch Mislau, Moravia, which was then part of the Austrian Empire. His parents were Thomas Hamza and Josefa Linhardt. He showed an early talent for art and after leaving school moved to Vienna in 1865 where he attended the Vienna Academy. He initially studied under Karl Wurzinger (1817-1883) and Friedrich Carl Mayer (1824-1903). He later became a master student of Eduard von Engerth (1818-1897) at the academy between 1874 and 1877.

Influenced by Wurzinger and Engerth he began producing figurative genre scenes, many of them historical and became one of the leading exponents of its resurgence in popularity in Vienna. He began exhibiting in Vienna from 1879 and also exhibited in Dresden, Munich and London.

He married Louise Stanz and the couple lived in Vienna. Their son Hans Hamza (1879-1945) also became a genre and figurative artist and later joined his father in his studio. In 1888, he became a member of the Vienna Kunstlerhaus (Artists’ Association). In 1891, he was awarded the gold medal at an art exhibition in London. By 1900, he was living at 71, Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s leading commercial thoroughfare where he kept a studio. A 1915 directory lists him as being a historical painter living at 71, Mariahilfer Strasse.

Hamza died in Vienna on 22 December, 1927. Examples of his work can be found in the Vienna Museum.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Physical Dimensions

Height

49cm (19.29")

Width

41cm (16.14")

Depth

7cm (2.76")

Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this Johann Hamza Oil Painting to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1214663

Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

We use a professional, fully insured and tracked door to door service for our UK and international deliveries. Please contact us for further information and shipping quotes.

Viewing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. However, we can also arrange for you to view the item in your home, depending on the location.

For a wider range of stock please visit www.bentonfineart.com.

If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description

Johann Hamza

Austrian, (1848-1927)

The Losing Hand

Oil on panel, signed

Image size: 13.75 inches x 10.75 inches

Size including frame: 19.25 inches x 16.25 inches

A well-executed genre painting of three men playing cards by Johann Hamza.

“

In this scene, a group of men in eighteenth-century costume are depicted playing cards at a table by a tavern window.

Benton Fine Art

Having lost the hand, one of the men is shown standing over the table to confront another player, dressed in green, who holds a pipe in his hand. Meanwhile, the remaining seated card player attempts to reason with the unhappy man, who, in his anger, has swept the cards and the stakes, together with an ale flask, onto the floor.

fig 1. An oil painting depicting three men in 18th-century attire playing cards inside a tavern, framed in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 1. Historical Genre Oil Painting of a Three Men Playing Cards by Johann Hamza

Johann Anton Hamza was born on 21 June, 1848 in Kirch Mislau, Moravia, which was then part of the Austrian Empire. His parents were Thomas Hamza and Josefa Linhardt. He showed an early talent for art and after leaving school moved to Vienna in 1865 where he attended the Vienna Academy. He initially studied under Karl Wurzinger (1817-1883) and Friedrich Carl Mayer (1824-1903). He later became a master student of Eduard von Engerth (1818-1897) at the academy between 1874 and 1877.

fig 2. An oil painting depicting three men in 18th-century attire playing cards inside a tavern, framed in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 2. Historical Genre Oil Painting of a Three Men Playing Cards by Johann Hamza

Influenced by Wurzinger and Engerth he began producing figurative genre scenes, many of them historical and became one of the leading exponents of its resurgence in popularity in Vienna. He began exhibiting in Vienna from 1879 and also exhibited in Dresden, Munich and London.

fig 3. An oil painting depicting three men in 18th-century attire playing cards inside a tavern, framed in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 3. Historical Genre Oil Painting of a Three Men Playing Cards by Johann Hamza

He married Louise Stanz and the couple lived in Vienna. Their son Hans Hamza (1879-1945) also became a genre and figurative artist and later joined his father in his studio. In 1888, he became a member of the Vienna Kunstlerhaus (Artists’ Association). In 1891, he was awarded the gold medal at an art exhibition in London. By 1900, he was living at 71, Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s leading commercial thoroughfare where he kept a studio. A 1915 directory lists him as being a historical painter living at 71, Mariahilfer Strasse.

fig 4. An oil painting depicting three men in 18th-century attire playing cards inside a tavern, framed in an ornate giltwood frame. — fig 4. Historical Genre Oil Painting of a Three Men Playing Cards by Johann Hamza

Hamza died in Vienna on 22 December, 1927. Examples of his work can be found in the Vienna Museum.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a new, English made gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.