Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski

Sale: Neumeister, Munich, 7 December 1988, lot 645
Purchased at the above sale by the family of the late owner; thence by descent

Laszlo Balogh, Alltagschilderung in der Münchner Malerei, Mainburg, 1989, p. 96, fig. 133, illustrated
Hans-Peter Bühler, Jäger, Kosaken und polnische Reiter, Hildesheim, 1993, p. 31, fig. 22, illustrated; p. 161, catalogued (dated circa 1910)
Eliza Ptaszynska, Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski 1849-1915, Warsaw, 2011, p. 146, illustrated

The canvas has not been lined. Ultra-violet light reveals some very minor scattered spots of cosmetic retouching, notably in some of the figures' faces, in the sky in the upper right corner and in the lower left corner. Some strokes in the sky fluoresce strongly, however this appears to be associated with the white pigments used by the artist. The overall appearance of the work is very good and the painting is ready to hang. Presented in a simple gilt 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."

The Polish harvest festival dates back to feudal times, when the nobility and larger landowners rewarded their farmers for their hard work. The popular and colourful Dożynki, as it is called in Polish, is a celebration of the conclusion of the growing season.     

The typical Dożynki celebration started with Mass, followed by a harvest procession to the local manor house. Traditional costumes of the region were worn by most participants. In the old days the hardest-working girl harvester, or przodownica, wore a smaller version of the harvest wreath as a head piece, as in the present work.    

Resident in Munich from 1873, Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski was a painter of Polish customs and rural life. He became best known for his depictions of sledge and coach rides in the snow, but also of summer scenes such as this. These paintings were valued for their exotic flavour by European and American art dealers and collectors alike.

Wierusz-Kowalski approached his subjects narratively in compositions full of dynamism and attention to detail. Finding great success as an artist in Germany, he nevertheless returned regularly to Poland, whose landscapes would remain the main inspiration for his work.