Friedrich von Amerling

A. Fischer von Ankern (sale: Wawra, Vienna, auction 183, 1903, lot 2)
Acquired by the family of the present owner circa 1965

Vienna, Österreichische Galerie im oberen Belvedere, Wiener Akademie-Ausstellung, 1830, no. 186
Vienna, Historische Ausstellung der k.k. Akademie der bildenden Künste in Wien, 1877, no. 3050

Friedrich von Bötticher, Malerwerke des 19. Jahrhunderts, Dresden 1901, vol. 1, p. 33, no. 2 (as Knaben-Porträt) 
Günther Probszt, Friedrich von Amerling, Der Altmeister der Wiener Portraitmalerei, Vienna, 1927, p. 113, no. 164
'Kunstbeilage', Wiener neueste Nachrichten, 22 March 1931, illustrated on the cover

Original canvas. There are a few areas of retouching visible through an even varnish under ultraviolet light, notably between the boy's right shoulder and the edge of the canvas, and along the outer edge of the lower half of his left arm. Apart from faint craquelure to the cream pigment of the boy's collar, this work is in good condition, with rich colours and delicate tones, and ready to hang. Held in a decorative, gold-painted moulded plaster and wood frame.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Painted in 1829.

Joseph von Amerling (1818-85), the artist's younger brother and seen here aged eleven, went on to enjoy an illustrious military career. In 1832 he joined the Austrian army as an artilleryman, and from 1847 taught geometry and French at the Royal Military Academy. In 1852 he transferred to the engineers corp, overseeing military building projects in Peschiera, Prague, and Zagreb, and was promoted to Major in 1862.

The present work relates to a similar portrait painted in the same year, Joseph Amerling als fauler Student, in the Moravská Galerie, Brno (fig. 1).

FIG. 1, Joseph Amerling, Joseph Amerling als fauler Student, Moravská Galerie, Brno