Great Painting Signed Fb And Dated 1853, The Lovers

A splendid oil painting on canvas, first canvas, attributed to thegreat German painter Friedrich August Bouterwek (1806-1867). SignedFB and dated 1853 at the bottom left, it depicts a romantic courtshipscene 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 leansagainst the edge of the fountain while behind her, a young suitorleans over a fence to offer her a small flower. A simple and delicategesture around which the painter builds the entire sentimentalnarrative. The subtle psychological play between the two protagonistsis particularly successful. The boy gazes intently at the girl andbrings the flower to her hand; she seems to accept his courtship but,with a reserved and almost mischievous attitude, avoids meeting hisgaze directly.

The female figure also constitutes the main luminous and chromaticcenter of the painting. The beautiful, evenly oval face is modeledwith remarkable softness, framed by jet-black hair adorned with redribbons and ornaments. Great attention is paid to the depiction ofthe costume: the bright red-orange sleeves contrast with the deepgreen of the full skirt, while a sheer white embroidered fabriccrosses the bust, revealing the artist's remarkable skill inrendering transparencies.

The setting is particularly interesting. On the left, a stonefountain 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 thevast landscape behind. Beyond the figures, an almost flat countrysideopens up, bordered in the distance by blue hills and dominated by abroad sky streaked with light clouds. The painting displaysremarkable execution, evident especially in the flesh tones, thedescription of the fabrics, and the ability to pictoriallydifferentiate the different materials: the almost impalpablelightness of the white veil, the texture of the green skirt, thereflections of the jewels, the stone of the fountain, and the movingwater.

The work is attributed to Friedrich August Bouterwek, a Germanpainter who trained in Berlin and later in Paris with Paul Delaroche.During his stay in Italy, Bouterwek developed a particular interestin the life and folk customs of the peninsula, subjects that recurredrepeatedly 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 theinitials FB and in the chronology, the type of subject, and the comparisons withhis Italian production (the painting is not currently accompanied byan expertise, but one can be requested upon payment of the relevantadditional 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 itparticularly suitable for a reception room, an important entrance, aprofessional office, or a large, classical or contemporary space. Thework has already been restored with small touches of color, but is inoverall good condition.

Internal dimensions: H 163 W 129 cm

As each of our products it willbeaccompanied by a certificate of authenticity and guarantee withphotographic documentation. Visit our website www.parino.it, freeshipping throughout Europe in costum-made wooden crates. Buy ininstallments without interest.