Friedrich Wilhelm Christoph Morgenstern

Schloss Guteborn, Saxony. Lots 204-208A probably come originally from Schloss Heidecksburg in Rudolstadt in Schwarzburg, Thuringia. The last governing Prince Guenther Viktor von Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1852 - 1925) was married to Anna Luise, Prinzessin von Schonburg-Waldenburg (1871-1951). In the 1930’s she adopted her nephew Prince Wilhelm and his son Ulrich von Schonburg-Waldenburg. One can assume that the six pictures reached Guteborn through her. Due to the similar framing of the portraits, we can assume that together with other pictures they formed part of an ancestral portrait gallery which showed the ten reigning princes of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt from 1710 to 1918. These pieces were confiscated during the socalled “Bodenreform” 1945-1949 by the authorities of the Soviet occupied territory in the later GDR and placed in the museum in Hoyerswerda. They were restituted to the family of the present owners on basis of the Ausgleichsleistungsgesetz in 2010.

The canvas is unlined, and taut in its stretcher. The paint surface is very dirty, and covered by an old varnish which is no longer having effect. Some areas are very slightly beginning to flake. There are some white surface flecks above the sitter's head, which seem to lie on top of the paint and if so, can be easily removed. There are stretcher marks visible on the recto, and a small hole to the left of the sitter's head. Inspection under ultraviolet light shows retouching along the stretcher lines, to the curls in the hair, to the craquelure in the face, in the white fur lower right. Retouching in the background is very difficult to see due to the dirtiness and the old varnish. This lot is offered in a gilt frame with decorative mouldings, two corner pieces missing, but otherwise sound. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sitter's lineage dates back to the 8th century. Although not particularly influential politically or economically, the princes nevertheless succeeded in ruling peacefully from the 16th through to the 20th century, steering the small city state of Schwarzburg- Rudolstadt through the times with little disruption or change. They lived in the Castle Heidecksburg, overlooking Rudolstadt.
Friedrich Wilhelm Christoph Morgenstern studied in Berlin and subsequently followed in his father's footsteps to become court painter in Rudolstadt.