Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene with Pensive Woman, Oil Painting

1900 - 1920

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

An enigmatic early 20th-century interior scene by German-Danish painter, Robert Panitzsch (1879-1949).

Here we see a seated middle-aged woman staring pensively through a curtained window as she holds a cameo. Behind her, a portrait of a gentleman, perhaps in uniform, hangs on the wall. The atmosphere feels unusual, anxious and intriguing.

Robert Gustav Otto Panitzsch (1879-1949) was born in Germany but later immigrated to Denmark and became a national. He’s particularly well known for his interior scenes and tended to paint sunlit rooms with female occupants.

His father worked as a stationmaster and sometimes Robert would accompany him and draw while sitting in the waiting room. You can imagine how exciting it would’ve been to quickly sketch various travellers before they scuttled off on their journeys. On one occasion, his skilful drawings caught the eye of a distinguished gentleman from Emperor Wilhelm's court. It’s said that he was so impressed with Robert’s potential that he guaranteed his acceptance into the Imperial Academy of Arts in Berlin.

Following his time at the Academy, he worked as a church painter and met his future wife, Fanny Christensen, who was working for the Red Cross. This marriage ultimately led to him becoming a Danish citizen later in life.

It’s interesting that he became a Danish citizen as his painting style suits the often introspective nature of Danish genre scenes. The Danes have a strong heritage of capturing an evocative atmosphere and Panitzsch would’ve enjoyed the inspiration. Perhaps he was a quiet, reclusive character that revelled in the subtleties of everyday life over the beauty of the great outdoors.

The painting is signed/dated in the lower right and housed within a gilded frame that could be its original.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 24½” x 28½” / 62cm x 72cm

Year of creation: 1925

Provenance: Denmark

Condition: Artwork very presentable with a few minor losses. Frame with marks and some age-related wear.

Artist’s auction highlight: £10,000 achieved for ‘In The Rose Garden’ at Christie’s in 1990.

Physical Dimensions

Height

72cm (28.35")

Width

62cm (24.41")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA738508

Description

An enigmatic early 20th-century interior scene by German-Danish painter, Robert Panitzsch (1879-1949).

“

Here we see a seated middle-aged woman staring pensively through a curtained window as she holds a cameo.

Brave Fine Art

Behind her, a portrait of a gentleman, perhaps in uniform, hangs on the wall. The atmosphere feels unusual, anxious and intriguing.

fig 1. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene With Pensive Woman, Oil Painting — fig 1. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene with Pensive Woman, Oil Painting

Robert Gustav Otto Panitzsch (1879-1949) was born in Germany but later immigrated to Denmark and became a national. He’s particularly well known for his interior scenes and tended to paint sunlit rooms with female occupants.

fig 2. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene With Pensive Woman, Oil Painting — fig 2. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene with Pensive Woman, Oil Painting

His father worked as a stationmaster and sometimes Robert would accompany him and draw while sitting in the waiting room. You can imagine how exciting it would’ve been to quickly sketch various travellers before they scuttled off on their journeys. On one occasion, his skilful drawings caught the eye of a distinguished gentleman from Emperor Wilhelm's court. It’s said that he was so impressed with Robert’s potential that he guaranteed his acceptance into the Imperial Academy of Arts in Berlin.

fig 3. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene With Pensive Woman, Oil Painting — fig 3. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene with Pensive Woman, Oil Painting

Following his time at the Academy, he worked as a church painter and met his future wife, Fanny Christensen, who was working for the Red Cross. This marriage ultimately led to him becoming a Danish citizen later in life.

fig 4. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene With Pensive Woman, Oil Painting — fig 4. Robert Panitsch, Interior Scene with Pensive Woman, Oil Painting

It’s interesting that he became a Danish citizen as his painting style suits the often introspective nature of Danish genre scenes. The Danes have a strong heritage of capturing an evocative atmosphere and Panitzsch would’ve enjoyed the inspiration. Perhaps he was a quiet, reclusive character that revelled in the subtleties of everyday life over the beauty of the great outdoors.