Oil on canvas, mounted on cardboard
Austria, 1872
Josef Lauer (1818-1881) – Austrian painter
Signed and dated lower right ‘Jos. Lauer 1972’
Verso on the backing board with old label ‘J. Lauer. Studienblatt mit Weintrauben’
Dimensions: 32.8 x 25.8 cm
Good condition
Old master style paintings by Josef Lauer are highly appreciated and sought-after; his fine floral and fruit still lifes fetch up to €68,000 at auction

The present work is an oil study by Josef Lauer, who was strongly influenced by the tradition of old master paintings. It depicts three bunches of red grapes before a neutral light gray background, executed in Lauer’s typical highly naturalistic manner. The work is presumably a preparatory study for one of his larger still life compositions. Still life paintings by Josef Lauer are characterized by the skillful presentation of flowers and fruits before a neutral or finely executed background, often animated with colorful birds and butterflies. Josef Lauer followed the artistic approach of the Viennese painter Johann Baptist Drechsel (1756-1811) and finally developed his own unmistakable style.

The painting is signed and dated lower right ‘Jos. Lauer 1872’. It is in overall good condition. The edges are a little discolored, presumably due to previous mounting. The canvas is unevenly trimmed and mounted on cardboard with tape to the margins. Inspection under UV-light reveals retouchings to the background. The frame shows traces of wear. The framed work measures 44 x 37 cm and the size of canvas is 32.8 x 25.8 cm.

Josef Lauer (1818-1881)

Josef Lauer attended the Academy of Arts in Vienna and was trained, amongst others, by the still life painter Sebastian Wegmayr (1776-1857), who influenced him significantly. From 1840, Lauer regularly presented his works at the Academy’s great exhibitions which was later followed by the exhibitions at the Viennese ‘Kunstverein’. In 1861, he was finally appointed member of the local ‘Künstlerhaus’. Josef Lauer is regarded as one of the last still life painters of the Viennese Biedermeier period. His works can be found in the Belvedere and in many private collections.

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