Heinrich Friedrich Füger

The Esterhazy collection, Budapest;
Private collection, Augsburg;
Anonymous sale, Vienna, Dorotheum, 31 March 2009, lot 197.

Weltkunst, 15 March 1967, pp. 826-831;
R. Keil, Heinrich Friedrich Fuger 1751-1818 Nur wenigen ist es vergoennt das Licht der Wahrzeit zu sehen, Vienna 2009, p. 292, cat. no. 294, reproduced in colour.

The following condition report is provided by Henry Gentle who is an external specialist and not an employee of Sotheby's: The original canvas is lined and the paint layer is stable. Old stretcher marks are visible. Restored paint loss is visible upper right in the cloud of Zeus, to the sky left and below the temple and to some of the edges. This restoration has discoloured. Pale shrinkage cracking is prevalent and in some instances this has been reduced. The glazing to some of the darker passages has been slightly compromised, e.g, the musicians lower right. Under u-v light the remains of an older discoloured varnish can be seen, removing this would improve overall tonality. Generally, well preserved with areas of paint in good original condition.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This study was produced as a preparatory work for the curtain of the Alte Burgtheater, Vienna. For such a large-scale venture very few studies relating to the preparation of the project still exist, and in fact this is the only remaining oil sketch. One drawing directly connected to this composition and three other related drawings are housed in the Albertina, Vienna. 

Füger enjoyed an extremely successful career. Born in Heilbronn, Germany in 1751 he moved to Leipzig at an early age to undertake his studies, and subsequently moved to Vienna. Following two years spent in Rome and Naples he returned to the Austrian capital and went on to become the Director of the Austrian Academy, and later the Director of the Imperial Collection in Vienna in 1806.