Eugen von Blaas

Private Collection, Nevada
Sale: Sotheby's, New York, May 7, 1998, lot 83, illustrated
Richard Green, London
Acquired from the above by the present owner in 1998

Growing up in a family of painters, von Blaas followed a course of study that was intended to encourage his artistic abilities.  Trained at the Academy of Venice, where his father was an instructor, von Blaas revealed, in his early works, a ready aptitude for genre painting (Thomas Wassibauer, Eugen von Blaas, 1843-1931, Das Werk Catalogue raisonné, Hidelseim, Germany, 2005, p. 17).  Rather than selecting an excessive amount of props or portraying a complicated narrative, he created a tightly arranged series of compositions. Well-placed, richly described details hint at a story behind the well-dressed figures of Leaving the Ball (1856) or more humble peasants captured in their daily activities of fruit selling and water carrying of At the Well (1872, sold: Sotheby's, London, November 19, 2001). In conjunction with these genre scenes, von Blaas refined his skills as a portrait painter; interestingly, his depictions of Venetian beauties are often considered genre subjects themselves.  In successive portraits, a narrative asserts itself through a pursed pair of lips or hand held impatiently at hip; the picture space, often a Venetian alleyway or, as in the present work, wind-swept beach, dramatically holds the strongly posed figures. Von Blaas would continue to hone these techniques throughout his career and Awaiting the Return, with its beautiful woman looking out to sea, is a masterwork of this particular style.  Generations of artists had depicted forlorn maidens waiting for their sailors' or fishermen's ships to return.  Differing from traditional representations, von Blaas does not provide a distinct story, instead inviting viewers to create their own about this woman's wait. The artist gives a few clues: a basket filled with red apples and wildflowers, the gleam of a gold earring, suggesting this maid is ready to provide warm welcome.  The remarkable size of the current composition allows the viewer to approach the picture space and closely examine her creamy skin, beautifully detailed bodice, the stray wisps of hair caught in the ocean breeze. In her graceful pose, she remains forever waiting and ready for the viewer’s appreciative gaze.