Heinrich Spiess, the Love Letter - Antique Oil Painting

Name: Heinrich Spiess, the Love Letter - Antique Oil Painting
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA950051
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This mid-19th-century oil painting by German artist Heinrich Spiess (1832-1875) depicts a young lady reading a love letter. It’s an accomplished work by an artist with a profound admiration for the old masters.

Once again, she’s returned to her jewellery box to unearth a treasured letter from an admirer. Every time surreptitiously tucking it away from prying eyes inside a lockable jewellery box. There’s a chill of excitement as she delicately holds his words with both hands. A shudder of emerging romance, a dream unfolding. She’s not wearing a wedding ring - but for how long?

Whatever happened to love letters? Such a pleasing way of conveying one’s feelings.

Heinrich Spiess was immersed in the illustrious world of the old masters from an early age. His father, August Fred Spiess (1806-1855), was a notable draughtsman and produced numerous engravings after eminent Renaissance luminaries. They worked together on various projects. As a child, the young Heinrich would’ve been surrounded by old master prints. Here, we see a subtle nod to the Dutch masters of the 17th century, such as Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) and Gabriël Metsu (1629-1667).

Heinrich Speiss trained at the Munich Academy. His works are held in numerous public collections including at the Bavarian National Museum in Munich.

Signed lower left and held within a Dutch-style wooden frame, probably original.

Learn more about Heinrich Spiess in our directory.

Medium: Oil on wood

Overall size: 19” x 23” / 48cm x 59cm

Year of creation: c. 1860

Condition: Artwork presents well. Craquelure but the paint is stable. Frame with some light wear.

Physical Dimensions

Height

59cm (23.23")

Width

48cm (18.90")

Depth

6cm (2.36")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA950051

Description

fig 1. Heinrich Spiess, The Love Letter - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. Heinrich Spiess, the Love Letter - Antique Oil Painting

Once again, she’s returned to her jewellery box to unearth a treasured letter from an admirer. Every time surreptitiously tucking it away from prying eyes inside a lockable jewellery box. There’s a chill of excitement as she delicately holds his words with both hands. A shudder of emerging romance, a dream unfolding. She’s not wearing a wedding ring - but for how long?

fig 2. Heinrich Spiess, The Love Letter - Antique Oil Painting — fig 2. Heinrich Spiess, the Love Letter - Antique Oil Painting

Whatever happened to love letters? Such a pleasing way of conveying one’s feelings.

Heinrich Spiess was immersed in the illustrious world of the old masters from an early age.

“

His father, August Fred Spiess (1806-1855), was a notable draughtsman and produced numerous engravings after eminent Renaissance luminaries.

Brave Fine Art

They worked together on various projects. As a child, the young Heinrich would’ve been surrounded by old master prints. Here, we see a subtle nod to the Dutch masters of the 17th century, such as Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) and Gabriël Metsu (1629-1667).