Oil on canvas
Germany, 1926
Ernst Odefey (1882-1964) – German painter and graphic artist
Signed and dated lower right ‘Odefey 26’
Titled ‘Mutter und Kind (Composition)’ and inscribed ‘E. Odefey, Hoopte a/Elbe Bez. Hamburg’ on the stretcher
Inscribed ‘meiner lieben Mutter zum Gedächtnis’ on the reverse and with remains of a handwritten label
In colored profile frame
Dimensions: 85.5 x 63.5 cm
Good condition
Harmonic and universal depiction of a mother with her child; paintings by Ernst Odefey fetch up to more than €4,000 at international auctions

In delicate bright colors and simplified forms Ernst Odefey has shown a mother with her little daughter on her lap. Both are wearing simple shirt-like frocks and are sitting in front of a brightly lit window, which surrounds the heads almost like a halo. The mother looks lovingly on her daughter, who fascinatedly observes a yellow butterfly. The composition is almost reminiscent of a Madonna representation. Together with the reduced-stylized forms less the impression of an individual portraits rather than that of a universal image of the maternal is created.

The painting is signed and dated lower right ‘Odefey 26’. It is titled ‘Mutter und Kind (Composition)’ and inscribed ‘E. Odefey, Hoopte a/Elbe Bez. Hamburg’ on the stretcher, and additionally inscribed ‘meiner lieben Mutter zum Gedächtnis’ on the reverse. There are old remains of a handwritten label. The painting shows tiny paint losses and minor craquelure. In the lower image there are occasional faint traces of rubbing. Overall the condition is good. The frame, too, is in good condition with slight signs of wear. The painting measures 85.5 x 63.5 cm. The framed dimensions are 95 x 73 cm.

Ernst Odefey (1882-1964)

Ernst Odefey was born in Hamburg. From 1906 to 1909 he studied at the art school in Weimar, where Ludwig von Hofmann and Hans Olde were his teachers. From 1914 to 1920 Odefey also worked as a teacher at the Academy in Kassel. He lived and worked for several years in Hoopte, today a district of Winsen (Luhe). Paintings by the artist are among others in the collections of the Kunsthalle Hamburg, the Hamburg History Museum and the Neue Galerie in Kassel. (fea)

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