Great Painting Signed Fb And Dated 1853, The Lovers

A splendid oil painting on canvas, first canvas, attributed to the great German painter Friedrich August Bouterwek (1806-1867). Signed FB and dated 1853 at the bottom left, it depicts a romantic courtship scene set in the Italian countryside.

The composition features two young people at a fountain. The girl, elegantly dressed in the folk costume of central Italy, sits or leans against the edge of the fountain while behind her, a young suitor leans over a fence to offer her a small flower. A simple and delicate gesture around which the painter builds the entire sentimental narrative. The subtle psychological play between the two protagonists is particularly successful. The boy gazes intently at the girl and brings the flower to her hand; she seems to accept his courtship but, with a reserved and almost mischievous attitude, avoids meeting his gaze directly.

The female figure also constitutes the main luminous and chromatic center of the painting. The beautiful, evenly oval face is modeled with remarkable softness, framed by jet-black hair adorned with red ribbons and ornaments. Great attention is paid to the depiction of the costume: the bright red-orange sleeves contrast with the deep green of the full skirt, while a sheer white embroidered fabric crosses the bust, revealing the artist's remarkable skill in rendering transparencies.

The setting is particularly interesting. On the left, a stone fountain releases a lively jet of water into a large container, introducing a pleasant sense of everyday life. The wooden fence, meanwhile, spans the composition, separating the foreground from the vast landscape behind. Beyond the figures, an almost flat countryside opens up, bordered in the distance by blue hills and dominated by a broad sky streaked with light clouds. The painting displays remarkable execution, evident especially in the flesh tones, the description of the fabrics, and the ability to pictorially differentiate the different materials: the almost impalpable lightness of the white veil, the texture of the green skirt, the reflections of the jewels, the stone of the fountain, and the moving water.

The work is attributed to Friedrich August Bouterwek, a German painter who trained in Berlin and later in Paris with Paul Delaroche. During his stay in Italy, Bouterwek developed a particular interest in the life and folk customs of the peninsula, subjects that recurred repeatedly in his work through scenes set in the Roman Campagna, serenades, romantic encounters, and depictions of young peasants. This attribution is supported by interesting elements both in the initials FB, an abbreviation also documented in works by the artist, and in the chronology, the type of subject, and the comparisons with his Italian production (the painting is not currently accompanied by an expertise, but one can be requested upon payment of the relevant additional costs).

The beautiful, non-contemporary gilded frame, richly crafted with plant and ornamental motifs, effectively complements the work, enhancing its decorative character. It shows some signs of aging and small losses (see photo).

The vertical composition and monumental, life-size figures make it particularly suitable for a reception room, an important entrance, a professional office, or a large, classical or contemporary space. The work has already been restored with small touches of color, but is in overall good condition.

Internal dimensions: H 163 W 129 cm

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