(Frankfurt 1828–1899 Kronberg)
Wallachian Packhorses at the Ford, signed Ad. Schreyer, oil on canvas, 59 x 96 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private Collection Germany.

Compare:
The estate of the artist Adolf Schreyer, Rudolf Bangel, Frankfurt am Main,
21 February 1922, lot 53;
Collection of Georg Wilhelm Müller, Düsseldorf, Lempertz Cologne,
22 November 1927, lot 10;
Lempertz Cologne, 30 October 1937, lot 108.

Adolf Schreyer began his artistic training at the renowned Staedel Institute in his hometown of Frankfurt am Main, then briefly attended the art academies in Dusseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich before moving to Vienna. There, he joined the Austrian army as a volunteer and accompanied Prince Emmerich von Thurn und Taxis on his campaigns. This was followed by journeys through Hungary, Romania and Russia, and later on, to Syria, Egypt and North Africa, as well, where he deepened his interest in oriental motifs. From 1861 onwards, he settled in Paris and alternated between Paris and his house in Kronberg im Taunus from 1872 onwards.
Adolf Schreyer was an internationally sought-after artist during his lifetime. His painterly virtuosity is expressed, above all, in his depictions of horses, as in the present lot. The power of the packhorses crossing a ford is palpable, which is probably why they were so popular and why there are several variations of this subject known. The white horse striding sideways in the middle ground is meticulously rendered and stands in contrast to the stormy, gloomy evening sky. (JP)