catalog text
FERDINAND PILOTY, THE YOUNGER
German, 1828-1895
"The Convalescent"
Oil on canvas | signed lower right "Ferd. Piloty", old label with title numbered 3237 and label for M.A. Newhouse & Sons gallery
Item # 204ZSG23W
An endearing scene rich with detail of the era, this exquisite genre painting by Ferdinand Piloty II captures the story of a sick young girl finding the strength to out of bed and look out into the brilliant sunlight pouring through her windows. Her young mother looks on patiently with a tender expression as the girl clasps her skirt for support. The careful attention to period specific detail gives the viewer an insight into this historical moment as captured by Piloty's brush; the bird in cage above, the medicine and spoon on the stool by the bed, the well-worn leather Jacobean chair and the spinning wheel that has likely kept her mother busy while watching over the sick child. Beside them, her eager dog accompanies her to the window.
Born in Germany on October 9th of 1828, Ferdinand Piloty II or "The Younger" was the son of renowned lithographer Ferdinand Piloty and the younger brother to Karl Piloty, the celebrated painter of historical scenes. Ferdinand experienced a great deal of commercial success with his brilliantly detailed genre paintings, many in the historical and literary vein but also with an attraction to contemporary rural depictions of life in Germany. One of his most important patrons was King Ludwig II of Bavaria and he painted a portrait of the king at the age of twenty shortly after his ascension to the throne in 1864. His painting of Ophelia, 'Hamlet', Act 4 Scene 5 is held in the permanent collection of the Royal Shakespeare Company and his dramatic scene of Capuchin Sermon in the Porticus Octaviae in Rome is held in the Bavarian State Painting Collection. He died on December 21st of 1895 and was buried in Munich.
Measurements: 38 1/8" H x 29 1/4" W [canvas]; 43 3/4" H x 35" W x 1 3/4" D [frame]
Condition Report:
Professionally cleaned and sealed in traditional Damar varnish by our conservator. Linen is unlined and in good condition with a small repaired hole upper right with associated inpainting; stretcher bars are perhaps later; ground is solid and in good condition with some faint frame impressions to the canvas around the perimeter; small losses around edges and upper right with associated inpainting; minor craquelure throughout the surface as expected; frame in good repair, later than the painting, minor wear and gilt losses. A fine presentation, ready to place.