Lot 59

Wilhelm Leibl (1844 - 1900) A GIRL WITH HER ARMS CROSSED

The painting of a girl with crossed arms comes from the best period of Wilhelm Leibl, who is one of the most important representatives of German realistic painting of the 19th century. The portrait was once part of the famous collection of Dr. Vladimír Horák in Prague. Unfortunately, the work was confiscated by the Nazis during World War II - on the reverse a label of the property of the German Empire RM 122. After the restitution of the painting, we have the opportunity to look into the work of a prominent artist. He built a unique style of authentic portrait, where he mixed elements of realism and impressionism. He gave the people a specific expression of their eyes giving the impression that an internal dilemma was taking place in the actors or that they were about to speak. He rejected exaggerated lyricism and tried not to embellish reality. The authenticity of the work is confirmed by a leading expert on Leibl's work, Dr. Götz Czymmek, who identified Leibl's niece Lina Kirchdorffer in the girl portrayed. The work bears the exhibition label Modern Gallery, inventory labels and the deposit label of the Czech-Moravian Provincial Gallery in Prague, where the work was before restitution.