Friedrich von Amerling
Spittelberg 1803 - 1887 Vienna, Circle of
"Young girl with a prayer book”
Around 1840/50
Oil on canvas, relined
94 x 69 cm, with frame 114 x 88 cm

This painting is an extremely high-quality version of a pictorial theme that is present in numerous repetitions. A girl is depicted with a book, which has been interpreted several times as a prayer book. Especially in connection with the dark veil, the young woman could just be on her way to church. The tender and softly modelled face, the targeted play with light and shadow effects as well as the precise execution of pictorial details such as the rose petals as hair ornaments, the luminous necklace and the filigree lace of the sleeves show the great skill of the executing painter, who probably moved in the circle of Friedrich von Amerling.