Eugen von Blaas

The panel is in good condition, flat and even. There are scattered minor flecks of retouching visible under ultraviolet light, notably very minor flecks to the figure's face, chest and chemise, and a few flecks to the background. Apart from some frame rubbing along the extreme right edge, this work is in good condition, with rich colours and fine detail.
"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."

The present work amply demonstrates Eugen von Blaas's ability to capture the beauty of a female sitter, from the parallel strokes of her hair, with its vigorous shine, to her delicately modelled cheek and floral dress. Differing from his full-length genre scenes, Blaas here uses a plain background to focus attention on the lady's skin tones and delicately contoured face and neck, her eyelids seductively low.

Famed for his depictions of everyday life in Venice, Blaas's very commercial subjects and finely painted, vividly coloured canvases found a ready market among the wealthy travellers and tourists visiting the city. Above all he strove to capture the inherent beauty of the Italian women with vignettes of their conversations in the street or courting with lovers.

The artist's career was enriched by a talented artistic family. His father and teacher, Karl von Blaas, was a successful history and genre painter, as well as being the foremost portrait painter of contemporary Roman society. His brother Julius was also a painter, specialising in animal and military scenes. After studying under his father, a respected professor at the Vienna and Venice Academies of Art, Eugen attended classes at the Academies of Rome and Venice, where he himself would later became professor. Between 1875 and 1892, he exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Grafton Gallery, and the New Gallery in London.

Works by Blaas can be seen in the Melbourne Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, the City Art Gallery in Leicester, and the Mapping Art Gallery in Sheffield.