Franz de Paula Ferg Vienna 1689 - 1740 London

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Description

Franz de Paula Ferg
rhenish landscapes with figures at a quay beneath a hilltop castle and a horse and cart and other travellers near a mill
a pair, both signed lower right in monogram: FV
both oil on canvas

Provenance

With Leggatt Brothers, London, from whom acquired in 1929 by the present owner's family.

Catalogue Note

This form of Ferg's signature is unusual, but not unique, similarly signed works include those offered in these rooms, 12 December 1990, lot 130, and at Christie's, 18 April 1997, lot 87, and 4 November 2000, lot 36. Many others are signed with the single letter F. Since Ferg settled in London in about 1724 (making what sources cryptically describe as an 'unfortunate' marriage), the V may indicate the English name of his birthplace, Vienna. Despite the alleged misery of his later, English years, his Rococo landscapes seem to have been in demand here, and of those of his works that are signed FV many appear to have old English provenances.