ALBERT ANKER | Fleissig / Appliquée, 1886

Mrs. M. Robert, Neuchâtel (1910, 1931)
Private collection, Neuchâtel (1962)
Private collection, Switzerland (by descent to the present owner)

Neuchâtel, Salle Léopold Robert, Exposition Albert Anker, 1910, no. 22
Zurich, Kunsthaus, Ausstellung Albert Anker, 1911, no. 50
Berne, Kunsthalle Bern, Albert Anker, 1928, no. 66
Berne, Berner Kunstmuseum, Albert Anker (1831-1910), Jahrhundertausstellung, 1931, no. 90
Ins, Turnhalle, Anker Ausstellung, 2000, no. 165

F. Zahn, Albert Anker, La Chaux-de-Fonds 1900, pl. 19
Conrad von Mandach, 136 Gemälde und Zeichnungen von Albert Anker, Zurich 1941, pl. 62
Hans Zbinden, Albert Anker. Leben, Persönlichkeit, Werk, Berne 1943, pl. 30
Max Huggler / Hugo Wagner / Katalin von Walterskirchen, Albert Anker. Katalog der Gemälde und Ölstudien, Berne 1962, no. 210, ill.
Sandor Kuthy / Therese Bhattacharya-Stettler, Albert Anker (1831-1910), Werkkatalog der Gemälde und Ölstudien / Catalogue raisonné des peintures et des études à l'huile, Basel 1995, p. 179, no. 361, ill.

The canvas is slightly buckling in the upper left corner. There are some craquelures overall the surface, mostly visible in the center of the composition. There are two accretions in the upper and lower right corners. Horizontal painting abrasion along the right side of the lower margin. Minor paint losses in the lower right corner mostly visible along the right margin. Minor paint losses along the left margin. Small dent on the canvas in the upper left margin. Small retouching visible under the UV light , on the figure's ear, on the eye, on the nose, on the mouth, on the chin and on the hands. In very good condition.
"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."

Beim Modell handelt es sich wohl um Rosa Stucki aus Ins. Mit grossem Fleiss und Konzentration ist das Mädchen in seine Hausaufgaben vertieft. Im 19. Jahrhundert entwickelte sich ein Genre, welches das Schülerdasein als eine Lebensform eigener Art thematisierte. 1866 gewann Anker mit seinem Gemälde «Schreibunterricht», welches zu diesem Genre gehört, erstmals eine Medaille am Pariser Salon. Anker offenbart bei seinen Bildnissen ein Interesse an der Malerei des 18. Jahrhunderts, welche beispielsweise an das Schaffen des Schweizer Malers Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-1789) erinnert, und gibt gleichsam eine wunderbare Neuinterpretation dieser Gattung im Stil des 19. Jahrhunderts wieder. Depicting Rosa Stucki, from the village of Ins, studiously concentrating on her homework, Anker explores the theme of education - one which gained prominence in the 19th century. In 1866 he was awarded a medal at the Paris Salon for a painting with a similar subject, his work offering a new interpretation of this genre influenced by Jean-Etienne Liotard.