- 119
Nees von Esenbeck, Elise
Estimate
70,000 - 100,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- drawings on paper
Collection of 137 finely detailed gouaches of orchids with white-lettered scientific titles to each illustration, many signed "E.N." [Breslau: 1865-66], on thick gray paper (18 1/2 x 13 in.; 474 x 303 mm), mounted recto and verso within five original contemporary folio albums of gilt and blind-stamped pebbled green cloth; foxing to mounts and some staining and foxing to tissue guards, intermittent intrusion of staining to paintings, minor wear to folio edges, two with splitting to joints. Modern cloth box with morocco label.
Condition
Condition as described in catalogue.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
A talented female botanical artist records the collections at breslau. Elise Nees von Esenbeck's family's scientific legacy provided her with the inspiration for her paintings. Grandfather Christian and grand-uncle Theodor, both renowned botanists, were instrumental in building collections during the era of the great plant-hunters. Christian founded and served as Director of the Bonn University Botanic Garden and established the University Gardens at Breslau. A prolific researcher, he described over 7,000 species. Though both brothers concentrated on fungi, Elise chose flowering plants as her subject. Her usual still lifes of arrangments in vases while attractive, are far surpassed by her present work.
The orchid collections at Breslau, built by her family and containing an exotic array of specimens from the jungles of South and Central America, Asia and the Pacific islands, provided particular inspiration. In the present paintings, she pays close attention to the texture, the delicacy of the petals and takes pain to capture the translucence of many species. Occasionally using gum arabic to heighten, but also using the contrast of the uniformly dark, even paperstock to bring close detail of even the mosses that share the tree trunks from which tropicals are found, to vibrant depictions.
.
Her work, scientifically represented but also artistically striking, won her international renown and exhibitions across Europe as well as the United States, where in Chicago she was awarded a prize for her orchid paintings. A lovely collection from the era of the flower portrait.
The orchid collections at Breslau, built by her family and containing an exotic array of specimens from the jungles of South and Central America, Asia and the Pacific islands, provided particular inspiration. In the present paintings, she pays close attention to the texture, the delicacy of the petals and takes pain to capture the translucence of many species. Occasionally using gum arabic to heighten, but also using the contrast of the uniformly dark, even paperstock to bring close detail of even the mosses that share the tree trunks from which tropicals are found, to vibrant depictions.
.
Her work, scientifically represented but also artistically striking, won her international renown and exhibitions across Europe as well as the United States, where in Chicago she was awarded a prize for her orchid paintings. A lovely collection from the era of the flower portrait.