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silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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Friedrich Johann Voltz (German, 1817-1886) "Cowherd and Cattle Resting"

SKU:
609DCQ19Q
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catalog text

FRIEDRICH JOHANN VOLTZ (GERMAN, 1817-1886) “COWHERD AND CATTLE RESTING”
Oil on panel, Signed “Fr. Voltz 1879”
Item # 609DCQ19Q


This exquisitely detailed work captures three cattle in the foreground of a green pasture, one particularly alert while the cowherder naps against a rock in the shadows, other cattle feeding in the distant background beside the thick forest.  The use of light is magical, the brilliant streams of sun piercing the shadows and detailing the haunches and tense muscles of the powerful animal, this light fading perfectly into his dark coat.  The shadows of the centermost bull bend around the curvature of the other resting animal, the high chroma of the pasture dinstinct against their bodies.  In the lower right corner is the signature of “Fr. Voltz 1879”.  An exceptional investment grade work for passionate collectors of the Munich school and of cattle studies. 

Friedrich Johann Voltz was born to painter and illustrator Johann Michael Voltz (German, 1784-1858) on October 31st of 1817. He originally studied under his father before studying at the academy in Munich from 1835-36. His work was heavily influenced by the location of his training in the Vavarian Alps, a subject he painted extensively through the late 1830’s. He studied and was distinctly influenced by the Dutch works of the Pinakothek and Schleissheimer Palace; he later studied under horse painter Albrecht Adam (German, 1786-1802), Peter von Hess, Max-Josef Wagenbauer and Peter von Hess. He achieved membership of both the Munich and Berlin academies, elevating the art of cattle portraits in his breed specific studies.

Literature: E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. XIV, Gründ, 2006, p. 466-67

Auction results:

  • Sotheby’s, 13 June 2006, London, lot 38, achieved 12,000 GBP
  • Sotheby’s, 13 July 2005, Olympia, lot 171, achieved 4,800 GBP
  • Christies, 31 January 2013, London, lot 121, achieved 6,000 GBP
  • Auctionata AG, 2 December 2014, lot 76, achieved 4,500 euros
  • Auctionata AG, 26 January 2015, lot 96, achieved 3,800 euros
  • Abell Auction, 6 October 2013, lot 120, achieved $ 7,500 USD
  • Simpson Galleries, 26 October 2008, lot 68, achieved $ 3,500 USD
  • A much more extensive detailing of auction results throughout the 20th century for Voltz are available in the Benezit (noted above)

Measurements:  16 1/2” H x 22 1/2” W x 3” D [framed]; 7 1/8” H x 13 3/8” W [panel]

Condition Report:
Minor frame gaps, gilt loss and frame wear as expected. Surface could benefit from being cleaned, some varnish yellowing and uneven gloss. No observed restorations under UV.