Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1930s.
Backlit at dusk, the fountain stands silhouetted. The form of Galatea, a figure from Greek mythology, visible amid slender trees. Beyond, the gentle tints of distant foliage provide a near-ethereal glow.
His wild obsession, coupled with endless prayers, eventually led to the goddess Aphrodite bringing it to life and uniting the couple in marriage.
Numerous sculptors have produced works depicting Galatea with some of those forming part of decorative fountains such as this one in Weickgenannt’s home town of Karlsruhe. It remains to be seen whether any of them came to life.
Weickgenannt’s rendering of the fountain in silhouette is quite poignant as ‘Galatea’ translates from Greek as ‘she who is milk-white’. By portraying the statue without light, could it be a reference to a lost love?
Signed lower left and held within a gilt frame.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 16” x 22” / 40cm x 56cm
Year of creation: c. 1930
Labels & Inscriptions: Label on reverse.
Condition: Artwork presents well. Frame with some light wear.
Karl Weickgenannt (1896-1976) was a painter and graphic artist who was born in Karlsruhe, Germany. He became a professor at the Goldsmith School in Pforzheim.
Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1930s.
Exquisite antique paintings that capture the imagination.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brave Fine Art Profile Page
Karl Weickgenannt, Evening at the Galatea Fountain - Oil Painting
