Lot No. 152


Johann August Nahl d. J.


(Zellekofen 1752–1825 Kassel) Mercury and Diana playing dice, pen, brush, brown and black ink, grey and brown wash, on paper, 75 x 54 cm, mounted, framed, (Sch)

The present drawing is a study for the painting Mercury and Diana by Johann August Nahl in the collection of the Staatlichen Museen Kassel (Inv. Nr. 1054). Flanked by dark and powerful trees the gods are seated in a bosk on mossy elevated ground and play dice. Mercury has just played and is looking expectantly at the goddess Diana. He is characterized by a winged hat, the winged shoes, his herold's staff entwined by two serpents - the so called Caduceus - in his left hand and by a money bag. Diana rests her head on her right hand and looks pensively at the dice. Two staghounds and the quiver are next to her feet and in the left hand she is holding her bow. The crescent moon In her hair associates her also with the goddess of moon Luna. Our drawing differs only in a few details from the painting in Kassel. Whereas the figures are represented in identical poses the artist varied the surrounding trees and the foliage, which he drew in closer vicinity of the figures. The delicate wash and the shading of the treetops emphasize the scenery and bathe it in a brighter light. Literature: Spätbarock und Klassizismus. Bestandskatalog der Gemälde in den Staatlichen Museen Kassel, bearbeitet von Stefanie Heraeus, Kassel, Wolfrathshausen 2003, Cat. 107.

Specialist: Mag. Astrid-Christina Schierz Mag. Astrid-Christina Schierz
+43-1-515 60-546

astrid.schierz@dorotheum.at

02.06.2010 - 18:00

Estimate:
EUR 6,000.- to EUR 8,000.-

Johann August Nahl d. J.


(Zellekofen 1752–1825 Kassel) Mercury and Diana playing dice, pen, brush, brown and black ink, grey and brown wash, on paper, 75 x 54 cm, mounted, framed, (Sch)

The present drawing is a study for the painting Mercury and Diana by Johann August Nahl in the collection of the Staatlichen Museen Kassel (Inv. Nr. 1054). Flanked by dark and powerful trees the gods are seated in a bosk on mossy elevated ground and play dice. Mercury has just played and is looking expectantly at the goddess Diana. He is characterized by a winged hat, the winged shoes, his herold's staff entwined by two serpents - the so called Caduceus - in his left hand and by a money bag. Diana rests her head on her right hand and looks pensively at the dice. Two staghounds and the quiver are next to her feet and in the left hand she is holding her bow. The crescent moon In her hair associates her also with the goddess of moon Luna. Our drawing differs only in a few details from the painting in Kassel. Whereas the figures are represented in identical poses the artist varied the surrounding trees and the foliage, which he drew in closer vicinity of the figures. The delicate wash and the shading of the treetops emphasize the scenery and bathe it in a brighter light. Literature: Spätbarock und Klassizismus. Bestandskatalog der Gemälde in den Staatlichen Museen Kassel, bearbeitet von Stefanie Heraeus, Kassel, Wolfrathshausen 2003, Cat. 107.

Specialist: Mag. Astrid-Christina Schierz Mag. Astrid-Christina Schierz
+43-1-515 60-546

astrid.schierz@dorotheum.at


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Auction: Master Drawings, Prints before 1900, Watercolours, Miniatures
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 02.06.2010 - 18:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 27.05. - 02.06.2010