Oil on canvas
Germany, circa 1850
Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker (1820-1900) – German history painter
Signed ‘C. Becker’ (hardly legible) lower right in the balustrade (partly retraced)
Verso inscribed presumably later ‘Carl Ludwig Becker Berlin’
Dimensions: 120.5 x 125 cm
Highly detailed scene in cheerful colors by the Berlin artist; Becker’s works of a similar format fetch up to €12-15,000

The present painting by the German painter Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker depicts a view onto a balcony with a colorful figural scene. In the center a young man is proposing to a beautiful Italian woman in a violet dress. The couple is surrounded by further figures, presumably young woman’s sisters. On the right, an elderly woman is peeking from behind a curtain and curiously watching the scenario unfolding in front of her. In the background one can discern the palace facades of a Venetian street. The various textures of the garments, flowers and stonework are rendered with great skill, partly accentuated with impasto brushwork. The bold, fresh colors give the composition a cheerful liveliness and underline the festive atmosphere.



The painting is signed ‘C. Becker’ lower right in the balustrade next to the lady’s purple robe (partly retraced). It is inscribed on the verso ‘Carl Ludwig Becker Berlin’ presumably later. The work is overall in good condition with fresh colors. There are numerous retouchings, e.g. to the neck and décolleté of the central figure as well as partly to the faces, clothes and the background. The edges are little rubbed. The stretcher frame measures 120.5 x 125 cm.



Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker (1820-1900)

Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker was born in Berlin in 1820. Between 1837 and 1840 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Berlin and afterwards continued his education as a pupil of the German painter August von Kloeber. In 1843 Becker was awarded with a grant, which enabled him go to Paris in 1843 and to Rome from 1844 until 1847. Paintings by Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker are in the collections of the National Gallery in Berlin and the Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum in Hannover. (tfa)

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