Oil on panel. Monogrammed lower right. With several old labels on the reverse, numbered there by hand and in print, as well as titled and inscribed with the artist's name. 15.6 x 21 cm.
• Clear composition in atmospheric colors and an intense expressiveness. • During his lifetime, Hans Thoma was one of the most sought-after German painters. • On early study trips to Paris, he was deeply impressed by the works of Gustave Courbet and the School of Barbizon. LITERATURE: Henry Thode, Hans Thoma. Des Meisters Gemälde in 874 Abbildungen, Stuttgart 1909, p. 304 (illu.). - - E. A. Fleischmann's Hofkunsthandlung, Munich, catalog of the painting collection of Dr. Martin Soehle, Hamburg, October 29, 1907, lot 167 (illu. on plate 96). Der Kunstmarkt, auction results: Samml. Soehle, vol. 5, no. 5, November 8, 1907, p. 36. Ketterer Kunst, Munich, auction on June 1-2, 1987, lot 1055 (illu.). ARCHIVE MATERIAL Estate of Galerie Heinemann, DKA Nuremberg, stock book commission LB-07-50, sheet: 47, April 8, 1912 - May 10, 1922, C no.: 11456-17720, I, B-13 (http://heinemann.gnm.de/de/kunstwerk-26524.htm).
Collection of Dr. Martin Söhle (1832-1904), Hamburg (until October 29, 1907). Collection of financial councillor Meinhold Strupp (1853-1912), Meiningen (probably since October 29, 1907, E. A. Fleischmann's Hofkunsthandlung, with the label on the reverse). Elisabeth Alsberg (1881-1949), Kassel (since 1923, inherited from the estate of the above, until 1939). Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia (until 1987: Ketterer Kunst). Private collection, Bavaria (acquired from the above in 1987). Private collection. Munich art trade. Swiss collection (since 1990). Amicable agreement between the above and the heirs of Elisabeth Alsberg (2024). The work is free of restitution claims. The offer is made subject to an amicable agreement with the heirs of Elisabeth Alsberg on the basis of anfair and just solution
When the present painting “Der Meerman” by Hans Thoma was offered as part of the auction of the estate of the Hamburg banker Dr. Martin Söhle in 1907, it can be assumed that the Financial Councillor Meinhold Strupp purchased the small piece of art. It remained in his collection and in his estate after his death in 1912. It was not before 1923 that his descendants met to split up the remaining items, including the art collection. “Der Meerman” became the property of Elisabeth Alsberg, who still possessed the oil painting on February 9, 1939. However, when she fled to England to escape Nazi persecution a week later, she had to leave most of her possessions behind in Kassel, including the ‘Meerman.’ The painting's subsequent fate remained unknown until it turned up on the German art market in 1987, from where the trail of this expressive work led to its current owner. Today, the painting “Der Meermann” is offered with the express consent of the heirs of Elisabeth Alsberg, to whom we are very grateful for their kind cooperation. [SD]
In good condition. Several retouched and small overpainted spots, partly due to superficial rubbing. The condition report was compiled in daylight with the help of a UV light source and to the best of our knowledge and belief.
Lot Details
Oil on panel. Monogrammed lower right. With several old labels on the reverse, numbered there by hand and in print, as well as titled and inscribed with the artist's name. 15.6 x 21 cm.
• Clear composition in atmospheric colors and an intense expressiveness. • During his lifetime, Hans Thoma was one of the most sought-after German painters. • On early study trips to Paris, he was deeply impressed by the works of Gustave Courbet and the School of Barbizon. LITERATURE: Henry Thode, Hans Thoma. Des Meisters Gemälde in 874 Abbildungen, Stuttgart 1909, p. 304 (illu.). - - E. A. Fleischmann's Hofkunsthandlung, Munich, catalog of the painting collection of Dr. Martin Soehle, Hamburg, October 29, 1907, lot 167 (illu. on plate 96). Der Kunstmarkt, auction results: Samml. Soehle, vol. 5, no. 5, November 8, 1907, p. 36. Ketterer Kunst, Munich, auction on June 1-2, 1987, lot 1055 (illu.). ARCHIVE MATERIAL Estate of Galerie Heinemann, DKA Nuremberg, stock book commission LB-07-50, sheet: 47, April 8, 1912 - May 10, 1922, C no.: 11456-17720, I, B-13 (http://heinemann.gnm.de/de/kunstwerk-26524.htm).
Collection of Dr. Martin Söhle (1832-1904), Hamburg (until October 29, 1907). Collection of financial councillor Meinhold Strupp (1853-1912), Meiningen (probably since October 29, 1907, E. A. Fleischmann's Hofkunsthandlung, with the label on the reverse). Elisabeth Alsberg (1881-1949), Kassel (since 1923, inherited from the estate of the above, until 1939). Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia (until 1987: Ketterer Kunst). Private collection, Bavaria (acquired from the above in 1987). Private collection. Munich art trade. Swiss collection (since 1990). Amicable agreement between the above and the heirs of Elisabeth Alsberg (2024). The work is free of restitution claims. The offer is made subject to an amicable agreement with the heirs of Elisabeth Alsberg on the basis of anfair and just solution
When the present painting “Der Meerman” by Hans Thoma was offered as part of the auction of the estate of the Hamburg banker Dr. Martin Söhle in 1907, it can be assumed that the Financial Councillor Meinhold Strupp purchased the small piece of art. It remained in his collection and in his estate after his death in 1912. It was not before 1923 that his descendants met to split up the remaining items, including the art collection. “Der Meerman” became the property of Elisabeth Alsberg, who still possessed the oil painting on February 9, 1939. However, when she fled to England to escape Nazi persecution a week later, she had to leave most of her possessions behind in Kassel, including the ‘Meerman.’ The painting's subsequent fate remained unknown until it turned up on the German art market in 1987, from where the trail of this expressive work led to its current owner. Today, the painting “Der Meermann” is offered with the express consent of the heirs of Elisabeth Alsberg, to whom we are very grateful for their kind cooperation. [SD]
In good condition. Several retouched and small overpainted spots, partly due to superficial rubbing. The condition report was compiled in daylight with the help of a UV light source and to the best of our knowledge and belief.
