Lot 16. Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski, Horse & Cart in the Snow, c. 1900. Oil on panel. Poland, c. 1900
Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski (1849-1915) – Polish horse and animal painter. Signed lower left ‘A. Wierusz Kowalski’. Dimensions: 20.5 x 27 cm. Carriages and carts in winter landscapes are a central theme in the works of Polish artist Wierusz-Kowalski. Here he presents a horse and cart in sunset, particularly rich in detail; comparable small paintings by the artist fetch up to €23,000 at the international auction market
Polish painter Alfred Kowalski painted with fondness the subject of sleighs and carts in winter landscapes in various versions. Our small size painting, executed in oil on panel, illustrates one of these subjects. Particularly rich in detail Kowalski presents the figure of a soldier who is driving his cart through a winter landscape at sunset. He manages to visualize the dynamic of the scene especially in the movement of the horse.
Condition:
The painting is in good condition. Small color flaking on the left and top edge visible. The varnish is minimal darkened. Small touch-ups visible under UV light in the area of horse and figure, otherwise of good overall impression. The painting measures 20.5 x 27 cm.
Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski (1849-1918)
Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski, with the pseudonym Jan Konarski, grew up in the Russian part of Poland. He studied at the academies in Warsaw, Dresden and Prague. From 1873, he was taught by the Hungarian painter Alexander von Wagner at the Academy in Munich. He settled down in Munich in 1876 and joined the Polish circle of Józef Brandt. Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski favorite subjects were coach rides, teams of horses and packs of wolves. His main work is the colossal painting ‘Wolf Attack‘, which was exhibited in Munich in 1910 with a sensational success.
Auctionata. 3/23/15. Estimate 6,400-8,000 euro.
Polish Art Corner 