Ludwig Werlen (1884-1928), Sketch For A Portrait Of Josef Fees Known As Z'fäschi, Brig 1927

Ludwig WERLEN (1884-1928)
Born in Geschinen in the Upper Valais
Trained in Zurich, Geneva and Munich
Drawing teacher in Brig
Sketch for a portrait of Josef Fees of Brig, known as Z'Fäschi
Pencil and oil on canvas, 1927
Signed and dated lower right
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50 x 49 cm [frame]
43 x 42 cm [stretcher]
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On the back, on the stretcher, several pencil inscriptions:
- Bild.[nis] Fees Josef, Bürger von Brig [Portrait of Fees Josef, bourgeois of Brig]
- Alexander Fees von Brig / Letzter dieses Geschlecht / gestorben am 29.03.1943 [Alexander Fees of Brig / last of his line / died on 29.03.1943]
- Eigentum [Property] Paul Güntern / " Carrupt, Sierre
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Character heads were one of Ludwig Werlen's favorite themes. Josef Fees, with his bushy beard and old hat, was painted several times by Werlen: we know of a portrait dated 1919 (Banque Cantonale du Valais collection), another from 1922 (private collection).
Ours, which was not completed, dates from 1927, a year before the painter's death.
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Provenance
- Sale Galerie du Rhône, Sion (Switzerland), 04.06.2005 (lot 497)
- Private collection, Evolène (Switzerland)