This is a very interesting piece - as is the history behind it and how it was acquired into the private collection of Werner Thiele - he was a German Officer of the 3rd Reich -
the oil painting is signed - but the signature cannot be made out - would need great magnification -
so if an original by Adrian Ludwig Richter- then it could date back to 18th's - if its a reproduction oil painting and it is oil - then we know its pre war - and belonged to a family in USSR -
any thoughts on value?
Werner Thiele - a father, a husband, an artist, a German Officer of the 3rd Reich. Born in Berlin in 1915 painting was his passion, his life and how he made a living, then, not by choice but force was drafted into the German Army, Febuary of 1941.
What I have acquired are some valuable pieces of History from Werner Thiele's private collection as well as his own collection of works ranging from pencil sketches, charcoal, oil and water colors.
The History behind item "Der erste Schnee"
An oil painting given to a German Officer of the 3rd Reich - as "a gift" of thanks for not killing them as he was leaving their house, back on that cold day in 1945 - this piece is unframed with the markings on the back indicating its removal from the frame and the original sticker "Der erste Schnee" on the back - done by Adrian Ludwig Richter (September 28, 1803 – June 19, 1884), a German painter and etcher, was born at Dresden, the son of the engraver Karl August Richter, from whom he received his training; but he was strongly influenced by Erhard and Chodowiecki.
Adrian Ludwig Richter (German, 1803-1884)
Richter, one of the most beloved artists in Germany during most of the nineteenth century, was the son and the pupil of Carl August Richter, Professor at the Fine Arts Academy in Dresden. Adrian Ludwig worked under his direction for his first twelve years. In 1820 while traveling as part of his artistic studies (sponsored by Prince Narischkin) he visited Strasbourg and the Midi in France. In 1823, he took another trip, this time to Italy, where he based himself in Rome and traveled to Naples and the surrounding area. From this trip, numerous works were generated including The Valley of the Amalfi. In 1836, he was named Professor of Landscape and Animal Painting at the Dresden Academy. After another trip to Italy, he decided to dedicate himself to works on the German landscape and people. In 1853 he was made an honorary member of the Munich Academy and in 1874 of the Berlin Academy. He was awarded Gold Medals at the Salons in Paris (1855) and Vienna (1883). He also engraved many landscapes and genre scenes, many of which were made into woodcuts and used for illustrations for popular books and children's books. Between 1987 and 2000, 167 of his works were put up for auction. The high price for one of his small watercolors was $22,220 (Sotheby's Munich). To understand the popular culture of Germany in the 19th century, when Germany was emerging as a nation under the leadership of Prussia and becoming the foremost industrial and military power in central Europe, some knowledge of Richter's works, with their idealization of the landscape and popular literature of a simpler German past, is clearly essential.
Some of his works that have sold at auction
Gretel and Hans. Pencil and wash on paper, c. 1865. Attributed to Richter on the verso. Creased lower left and diagnally across top. This is a typical work by Richter, showing the simple uncomplicated life of happy children in the days of innocence. Image size: 206x411mm. Price: $17,600.
Piper in antique clothes. Pencil on wove paper, mid-19th century. Attributed to Richter on stylistic grounds. This is likely to be a drawing for an illustration of the fable of the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Old tape stain showing through at top and top right across top. Image size: 105x40mm. Price: $2600.
Salzburg. Attributed to Richter on stylistic grounds. Titled and dated lower right. Many of Richter's landscapes adopt this same perspective. Image size: 105x40mm. Price: $3600.
