Saturday, September 25, 2010

Artist's Sister by Gustav Richter


I recently discovered this portrait at a rummage sale along with a lovely Victorian Chocolate Pot which I had never seen before. It differs from a Tea Pot in that it has a flat bottom. Believing that I found two items that everyone would admire, I was baffled when I heard voices of disapproval. Apparently this portrait has been deemed "creepy" by the majority of my family.
The label on the back of the frame reads, "Artist's Sister- By Gustav Richter, Artist: Gustav Richter was born at Berlin, August 31st, 1823. He studied first at Berlin, and in 1844-1846 was the pupil of Cogniet in Paris. He made numerous journeys to France and Italy, and in 1861 was commissioned by the King of Bavaria to visit Egypt to make sketches for pictures of the Pyramids --which were destined for the Maximilianeum at Munich. "The Artist's Sister" by Richter depicts the charm of the Romantic period of last century. The original hangs in the National Gallery of Berlin. He died April 3, 1884. " I appreciate that the price is written on the back in a white wax crayon. You can observe how the sale price decreased over time. So, what are your thoughts? Do you find this work of art classic or creepy?

11 comments:

  1. I have this too. I found it in my 90 year old grandmother's home when we were moving her out. It is beautiful.

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  2. I concur. I wonder when she acquired it. Was it in the same/similiar oval frame? I'm still trying to figure out how old this print is.

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  3. I have no idea. She lived in this house for over 50 years and collected antiques all these years. Mine is not an oval shape, it is a five by seven and in a gold medal frame.

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  4. Also, I found this site that might help you.
    http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6942579

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  5. I have this print, also in an Oval,gold,wood frame. I have a matching print of (I'm assuming) Gustave(self-portrait)in a matching oval wood frame. I bought my pair at an estate sale in 1993. I think she is beautiful, he is very handsome, and I "jokingly" refer to them as my ancestors!!

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  6. I bought mine at a yard sale, only of the sister. I thought she was pretty, spent $35.00 for her, which was a lot for me at the time. She hangs in my living room and I tell everyone she was my great aunt!

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  7. I too have this print from my Grandmother's things. Her copy is in a small frame and has "Artist Sister". I googled that and came to this site. A note of intrest there was an print of this in a "Designing Women" show, a large print. And there was one recently in a "Wizard's of Waverly Place."

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    Replies
    1. I, too, have this print. It's also been "seen" on Bones, True Blood (Bill Comptons homeplace in stairwell), and old Bowery Boy shorts from the '40's.

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  8. Wow, I had no idea! Thank you for sharing!

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  9. I just purchased mine at a purple heart store It appears so real it is on canvas Is it worth anything

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