By Löffler, August (German, 1822-1866)
With its superb rendering of an Egyptian landscape bathed in bright sunshine, this oil painting is a fine example of 19th century Orientalism.
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Crafted by the German artist August Löffler (1822-1866), this exceptional painting is notable for its collectable subject and deft handling of light.
Positioned from a wide viewpoint, the viewer gazes upon a desert expanse, with the faint pyramids in the background pinpointing Egypt as the location. In the foreground, lush green shrubbery dominates, with four tall palm trees occupying the centre of the canvas, creating a foliate oasis within the otherwise arid landscape. The colour contrasts between the deep green plants, the warm yellow sand, and the bright blue sky are particularly pleasing for the viewer.
The artist fills the canvas with subtle references to the North African location. Various figural groups, often accompanied by camels, are dotted around the scene, providing points of interest that break up the landscape plane. In the left background, the viewer can glimpse the beginnings of a viaduct, which, like the pyramids, cast the viewer back to the architecture of an ancient past.
The painting is rendered with masterful technique, in particular the handling of light. The sun appears to shine down from directly above the scene, casting a column of light down the centre of the canvas: the viewer can almost feel the warmth of the midday sun as it reflects off the shrubbery as well as the lake in the background.
Ensconced in an elegant giltwood frame, the canvas is signed 'Aug. Loeffler' in the lower right-hand corner, underneath very faintly inscribed 'München' and indistinctly dated '185*'. Inspired by his journeys to North Africa and the Middle East, Löffler is known for his expertly rendered scenes which effectively capture the warm atmosphere of these environments. His work is housed in important public collections such as the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
Notable for its beautiful handling of light and colour on a large scale, this Orientalist landscape would make a wonderful addition to the appropriate wall space.
Canvas: Height 103cm, width 148cm
Frame: Height 116cm, width 159.5cm, depth 8cm
Reference:
17463
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