Ludwig von Hofer

Art market, Stuttgart;
Gustav Rau, Germany, acquired before 1960;
his sale for UNICEF, Lempertz, Cologne, 16 November 2013, lot 1520

Overall the condition of the marble isvery good, with minor dirt and wear consistent with age. There are a few small dirt residues to the top of the drapery at the front. There is veining to the marble consistent with the material, including a slightly open vein on the left side of the drapery. There are a few small losses to the lower edge of the terrasse, on the proper left side. There are a few minor naturally occurring inclusions to the marble, including at the proper right side of the torso and to the proper right buttock and the proper right wing. The wings are caarved separately. There is dark and orange veining to the upper back.
"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."

Ludwig von Hofer was among the talented German sculptors active in Bertel Thorvaldsen's Roman studio during the 1920s. Following his training under Antonio Isopi in Stuttgart and some years of activity in Munich, Hofer came to Rome in 1823, remaining in the Eternal City until 1839, after which he returned to Germany and was appointed sculptor to the Württemberg court. This beautiful marble is a reduced copy of Hofer's statue of Psyche which was bought by King Wilhelm I of Wurttemberg in 1838, and sold at auction in 1922.

RELATED LITERATURE
F. Fleischhauer (ed.), Gemälde und Kunstgegenstände aus dem ehemaligen Königlichen Schloss Wilhelma bei Stuttgart: Besitz des verstorbenen Königs Wilhelm II. von Württemberg, Auktion am 10. Oktober 1922, Stuttgart, 1922, no. 122; H. Tesan, Thorvaldsen und seine Bildhauerschule in Rom, Cologne, 1998, p. 192