Sale: 422 / Old Masters and Art of the 19th Century, May 22. 2015 in Munich Lot 19

 

19
Karl Altmann
St. Leonhardsfest in Fischhausen am Schliersee, 1832.
Oil on canvas
Estimate:
€ 30,000 / $ 32,400
Sold:
€ 57,500 / $ 62,100

(incl. surcharge)
St. Leonhardsfest in Fischhausen am Schliersee. 1832.
Oil on canvas, laid on a plate.
Signed and dated lower left. 62 x 85.5 cm (24.4 x 33.6 in).

PROVENANCE: Weinmüller, Munich art auctioneer Rudolf Neumeister, auction no. 85, 20 - 22 March, 1963, cat. 93, lot 1396 (with black and white illu. in catalog, plate 92).

EXHIBITION: Exhibition of Kunstverein Hanover 1833 (cf. Bötticher).

LITERATURE: Cf. Friedrich von Bötticher, Malerwerke des 19. Jahrhunderts, Leipzig and Dresden 1891-1901, vol. 1, no. 5.

The 'Leonhardifahrt' is a horse procession in honor of Saint Leonard of Noblac, patron saint of cattle and particularly of horses. This procession has been a tradition in many places in Bavaria and parts of Austria since the 15th century, it usually takes place on 6 November. The pilgrimage is characterized by festive costumes and adorned horse carriages, in addition a fair with dance and beer completes the festivities. However, in course of Bavaria's secularization under the Elector Max IV. Joseph, the Leonhardi processions, as well as numerous other religious traditions, such as cross processions, passion plays or church anniversaries, were abolished. In doing so he followed the ideology of the French Revolution and his new partner, the French emperor Napoleon. This alliance led to Bavaria's increased importance and made Max Joseph its first king on 1st January 1806. It was not before the reign of his son Ludwig I, who was crowned in 1825, that the monastery in Metten was settled again in 1830 in context of his church restoration politics. The Leonhardi festivities were permitted again in 1833. Karl Altmann's painting "Leonhardsfest in Fischhausen am Schliersee" was made in 1832, amidst the days of the revival of church traditions and just one year before the ban was eventually lifted. Besides a romantic-idyllic account of the past, Altmann may have expressed slight presentiment or even his pleasant anticipation of the upcoming political changes with this work.



19
Karl Altmann
St. Leonhardsfest in Fischhausen am Schliersee, 1832.
Oil on canvas
Estimate:
€ 30,000 / $ 32,400
Sold:
€ 57,500 / $ 62,100

(incl. surcharge)