3249
Eibl, Ludwig
1842 Vienna - 1918 Munich.
Springtime fish still life with rustic copper kettle, lettuce heads, lemons and a bouquet of spring snowflakes in earthenware wine jug.
Oil on canvas. Signed upper left.
H 50, W 77 cm (support). Elaborate frame.
The dishes and utensils of this kitchen still life appear to be carelessly thrown together only at first glance; the well thought-out effect of this appealingly and delicately arranged coloristic composition unfolds bit by bit. The rust-red gleam of the copper kettle competes with the metallic glow of the carp scales, the bright yellow of the lemons engages in a duel of colour freshness with the delicate lime green of the heads of lettuce, the white body of the plaice competes with the calyx-like petals of the spring snowflakes. The only object not normally encountered in a kitchen is a fishing net hanging over the edge of the table, held in place by the weight of a blue and white porcelain plate. Perhaps it is an allusion to the quality of the freshly caught aquatic creatures waiting to be prepared. Possibly, however, we encounter here a subtle reference to the biblical fishermen of the Sea of Galilee through a witty, hidden symbolic language that identifies this kitchen piece as a Lenten still life alongside the meagre, downright frugal though delicate selection of food and tender early spring flowers.
The Austrian sculptor and painter Ludwig Eibl was a representative of the Münchner Schule and the wider circle around the realist painter Wilhelm Leibl. To this day he is appreciated for his suggestive still lifes, depicting manifold furnished kitchen tables or game with hunting utensils. He is also famous for his hunting scenes on the ceiling of the Blue Salon at Herrenchiemsee Palace.
Statement: Dr. Richard Hiepe, Neue Münchner Galerie, n.d.
Provenance: private collection Munich.

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