Friedrich von Amerling

(1803 Vienna–1887 Vienna)
THE HOLY FAMILY SURROUNDED BY ANGELS
 
Pen and brush in brown over traces of pencil, on handmade paper, height: 11 cm, width: 13,5 cm, mounted on support, passe-partout, not framed

PROVENANCE

• Dorotheum, Vienna, Master Drawings and Prints before 1900, Watercolours, Miniatures, April 24, 2013, Lot 00212
• European private property

Throughout his life, Friedrich von Amerling dedicated little time to group representations; he depicted single figures above all. The “Holy Family Surrounded by Angels” is one of the artist’s few drawings with several figures. In parts the composition is reminiscent of studies for the painting “Rudolf von Arthaber and His Children Rudolf, Emilie and Gustav” from 1837, one of Amerling’s major works, which is now in the collection of the Belvedere. With this work Amerling created a family portrait, which is considered the “epitome of Biedermeier domesticity” [1] today.
 
The Mother of God holding Baby Jesus in her lap is placed at the centre of the drawing; an architectural backdrop is alluded to. Standing behind her is Joseph, to her right an angel is kneeling. Two further angels flank the scene. Amerling makes the group appear unified and complete, which imbues the figures with a silent gracefulness.
 
Additional drawings by Friedrich von Amerling upon personal request.
        
      
Friedrich von Amerling
 
Born on April 14, 1803 in the Viennese suburb Mariahilf–January 14, 1887 Vienna, together with Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller he was one of the most renowned Austrian portraitists of the 19th century.
 
Born into the family of a gold and silver wire drawer, Amerling studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1815 until 1824. Afterwards he decided to continue his education at the Academy in Prague, before, in 1827, he moved to London for just over a year and a half. There he met the portraitist Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769–1830), who was to greatly influence his work. Other journeys led to Paris and Rome, from where he was finally called to Vienna in order to portray Francis I, Emperor of Austria. This commission made him one of the leading portraitists, whose particular style combined the elegance of British portrait painting with the Realism of the Viennese Biedermeier tradition. The gift for sensitive observation, precious to exotic arrangements, and a solid palette of colours were characteristic of his works. Amerling, who married four times, went on extensive educational trips throughout his life: 1840–1843 and 1845/46 to Rome, 1882 to Spain, 1883 i. a. to England, 1884 to Greece, 1885 to Egypt and Palestine, as well as to Scandinavia and the North Cape. His distinguished clientele included not only members of the Royal family, but also wealthy members of the upper class, and celebrities like artists secured his excellent international reputation already during his lifetime.