catalog text
RICHARD LINDERUM
German, b. 1851
A Monk Writing Music
Oil on canvas | signed upper right "Rich Linderum, München"
Item # 002ILP11M
A peaceful scene depicting an aged monk sitting beside his piano with a large folio of music open across his lap, he makes adjustments and additions with a quill pen. The contrasts between light and dark, the almost supernatural lighting of the seated monk and the exquisite rendering of even the most minute of details show the deep influence of formal academic German Romanticism. With no physical or material luxury, the seated monk crafts with his quill incredible beauty.
While Linderum was familiar with a wide range of Romanticism, producing great paintings of historical subjects, mythological characters - his best known being his work of Bacchants Resting in a Landscape - and murals, it is his genre scene depictions of Monks and of Rabbis that are most sought-after. Born in Dresden, Germany on March 6th of 1851, Linderum studied under Pauwels at the Dresden Kunstakademie. Relatively little is known about his life despite his relatively large output as an artist. Several of his works are included in Poltimore and Hook's "Popular 19th Century Painting".
Literature & Further Reading:
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. VIII, Gründ, 2006, p. 1072
Measurements: 16 1/8" H x 12 1/4" W [canvas]; 25 5/8" H x 21 5/8" W x 3" D
Condition Report:
In excellent original condition (unlined, no observed inpainting under UV). Professionally cleaned and fresh varnish applied. Early giltwood frame with corner separations, beading losses and chips.