Max Kaltenmoser, an Interesting Read - Antique Oil Painting

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

An exquisite oil on canvas depicting a late 18th-century lady reading a book while sprawled across a sofa. It’s the height of decadence and she’s clearly lost in a love story. Note the symbolic references - the glint of a ring, a single rose… It’s interesting that the rose is atop black lace. Could she be mourning a loved one? Or is it simply a fashionable black shawl.

The artist Max Kaltenmoser (1842-1887) was highly skilled at capturing light within attractive interiors. See how her face is partially lit as she uses her hand as a shade. And how the light falls beautifully across the drapery.

But perhaps the most charming element is the turquoise shoe - slightly exposed as she rests it on a footstool.

The painting is monogrammed, signed/dated in the top right and housed within a fine 19th-century gilt frame.

Learn more about Max Kaltenmoser in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 25” x 22” / 64cm x 56cm

Year of creation: 1873

Condition: Overall very presentable.

Artist’s Auction Highlight: £15,200 achieved for 'A Game of Dice' at Christie's in 1995.

Physical Dimensions

Height

56cm (22.05")

Width

64cm (25.20")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA875078

Description

An exquisite oil on canvas depicting a late 18th-century lady reading a book while sprawled across a sofa. It’s the height of decadence and she’s clearly lost in a love story.

“

Note the symbolic references - the glint of a ring, a single rose… It’s interesting that the rose is atop black lace.

Brave Fine Art

Could she be mourning a loved one? Or is it simply a fashionable black shawl.

fig 1. Max Kaltenmoser, An Interesting Read - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Max Kaltenmoser, an Interesting Read - Antique Oil Painting

The artist Max Kaltenmoser (1842-1887) was highly skilled at capturing light within attractive interiors. See how her face is partially lit as she uses her hand as a shade. And how the light falls beautifully across the drapery.