(Miesenbach 1807–1862 Vienna)
The Dürre Wand near Miesenbach, monogrammed F. G.,
oil on paper on canvas, 28 x 17.5 cm, framed, (Rei)

Provenance:
Barth-Wehrenalp art dealers, Vienna; Dorotheum Vienna, 7 November 1968, lot 43;
Private Ownership, Vienna;
by inheritance to the current owners.
vFriedrich Gauermann would often wander in the surrounding country near his family home in Miesenbach in order to create sketches and find inspiration for his future works. The Dürre Wand was one of his favourite spots; there he could, as we can see in the present painting, depict open spaces, but also find the perfect settings for his animal fights. The Dürre Wand is rife with steep rock walls and caves that make the perfect location for these powerful subjects. In the present work, although the space appears quiet and empty, we get a feeling of the artist’s talent for the dramatic and his ability to capture a precise moment. Gauermann would often paint scenes with overcast skies in the distance that would contrast with the tranquillity of the scenes in the foreground. Here, the cloudy, impressive sky overlooks a bright green valley that is still unaffected by the threatening weather that is yet to come.