Friedrich von Amerling

(1803 Vienna–1887 Vienna)
STUDY OF A SEATED GIRL
 
Pen and brush in brown over underdrawing in pencil, grey wash, on paper, height: 18,6 cm, width: 11,7 cm, mounted on cardboard, unframed
  
PROVENANCE

• Dorotheum, Vienna, Master Drawings and Prints before 1900, Watercolours, Miniatures, June 16, 2009, lot 00706
• Dorotheum, Vienna, Master Drawings and Prints before 1900, Watercolours, Miniatures, May 2, 2012, lot 00155
• German private property

      
Friedrich von Amerling’s “Study of a Seated Girl” depicts a graceful young woman in a long dress. She appears to be sitting on a wall or a bench and is turning lightly to the left, while she is concealing her left foot behind the right. Her left arm is resting on her thigh, which is slightly drawn towards her body; with her right arm she is supporting herself against the wall or bench. Her pensive face is turned towards the viewer.
Amerling accomplished this sketch with quick, sure and precise brushstrokes, which carry a great directness. The particular appeal of the piece is in the sense of lightness it imparts.
 
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.