(Hammer near Pilsen 1851–1901 Paris)
The Last Penny, signed V. Brozik, verso no. 174, and wax seal Charles Sedelmayer Paris, oil on panel, 77.5 x 63.5 cm, framed

Provenance:
Vienna art trade, purchased in 1992;
Private Collection Vienna.

Catalogued and illustrated in:
Nadezda Blazickova-Horova, Václav Brózik (1851-1901), National Gallery Prague 2003, p. 272, no. 268.

We are gradeful to Dr Michal Simek for his scientific assistance.

Václav Brožík is one of the most outstanding representatives of 19th century Czech art. Although his early work was heavily influenced by Gabriel Max, he ultimately established himself not in Munich but Paris. He was a son-in-law of the Parisian art dealer Charles Sedelmayer. After the reorganisation of the Prague Academy, he was elected its rector. He is one of the most incisive representatives of the generation of the National Theatre, which he was actively involved in decorating. The present lot exemplifies all the attributes of Brožík‘s genre work at its peak.

The painting was probably created in Paris sometime in the mid-1890s when Brožík was rector of the Prague Academy but still worked in Paris as well, being represented in Prague by Julius Ma▐çk. The work was published in Goldenes Prag in 1895. The reproduction of the painting contains an accompanying text by art critic Vilém Weitenweber (1839-1901), who describes this painting as a true example of a genuine genre, depicting a scenario where the guest, upon paying, finds that he does not have the desired amount of money. Brožík masterfully depicts the moment when the customer is embarrassed by the situation that has occurred, while the good-natured girl already suspects that the financial loss will be at her expense.