Our painting with madonna and child is typical religious painting by famous Austrian painter Hans Zatzka ( 1859- Vienna -1945). It was signed by the artist with one of his famous pseudonym "H.Ballheim". This pseudonym is one of several pseudonyms adopted by the artist Hans Zatzka to circumvent the exclusionary contracts many 19th c. art dealers and galleries compelled their artists to sign. It was not unusual for popular artists to have contracts at various galleries under different names; this enabled them to offer their works in different venues without breaking any legally binding contractual agreements. They were thus afforded the opportunity for more sales. Today his paintings achieve remarkable prices in the international art auction market. Hans Zatzka studied from 1877 to 1882 at Vienna Art Academy by Christian Griepenkerl and Carl von Blaas. Beeing a student at the Academy, he was awarded with a Gold Füger-Medal. As decoration painter he favoured subjects from Wagner´s operas, religious and mythological scenes. Zatzka was very popular for his paintings of pretty girls, allegorical scenes with nymphs and putti,oriental genre paintings and madonnas .

Literature: "General Artist´s Lexicon " by Thieme/Becker and " Dictionary of austrian artists " by Prof.H.Fuchs (in German).

Inscription: signed lower right.

Technique: oil on canvas. Original frame.

Measurements: unframed w 25 " x h 31 1/8 " (63,3 x 79 cm), framed w 33 1/2" x h 39 3/4 " (85 x 101 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.