Naturalistic painting with a heron at the pond was executed 1890-1900s . Despite the absence of a signature, the picture has very close stylistic criteria to be attributed to the hand of famous German animal painter, author and illustrator Wilhelm Kuhnert (1865 - 1926). Some exemples of his bird works see on our additional photos.

After the end of his technical-commercial apprenticeship at the age of 17, Kuhnert was a scholarship student at the Berlin University of the Arts from 1883 to 1887. From his home in Berlin, he embarked on travels to Scandinavia, Egypt, East Africa and India to make landscape and animal studies. His favorite motif was the African lion. In 1901 Kuhnert was the illustrator for zoologist Johann Wilhelm Haacke´s book Animal Life on Earth. In 1903, he became one of the many artists selected to provide illustrations and design trading cards for the Cologne chocolate company, Stollwerck. He also provided some illustrations for the 1900 edition of Brehms Tierleben.

Contrary to the practice of his peers, Kuhnert distinguished himself by sketching tropical animals in the wild, not in zoos. He made pictures by sketching, etching, watercolor, and oil painting. Kuhnert is considered one of the most important German animal painters of his time. As he was not a professional hunter, it often took a great deal of effort to track down his subjects.

Literature: in German: Lexicons Fr.v.Boetticher; Thieme/Becker; Saur; Angelika Grettmann-Werner: Wilhelm Kuhnert (1865-1926). Tierdarstellung zwischen Wissenschaft und Kunst. Hamburg 1981; Hansjörg Werner: Wer war Wilhelm Kuhnert. Der grosse deutsche Tiermaler.

Inscription: signature remains (not readable) in the middle on the lower edge.

Technique: oil on canvas, original period gilt frame.

Measurements: unframed: w 24 1/4" x h 32 7/8" (61,5 x83,5 cm); framed: w 25 3/4" x h 34 1/2" (65,5 x 87,5 cm).

Condition: in good original condition.